Mildenberger won a dramatic feature race, the bet365 Feilden Stakes, at Newmarket at the first meeting of the season today.

East Anglian Daily Times: Mildenberger on the way to victory in the bet365 Feilden Stakes at Newmarket. Picture: PA SPORTMildenberger on the way to victory in the bet365 Feilden Stakes at Newmarket. Picture: PA SPORT (Image: PA Wire)

Victory did not look likely for most of the race as Fortune’s Pearl set a bold sight in front and still held a healthy advantage heading into the dip.

But Mildenberger (11-4), third in the Royal Lodge to Craven-bound Roaring Lion when he was last seen, finally began to make inroads under James Doyle on meeting the rising ground.

Eventual runner-up Fortune’s Pearl, who finished a long way behind Gronkowski at Newcastle recently, did not go down without a fight and was only half a length adrift at the line.

Aidan O’Brien’s 7-4 favourite Kew Gardens was a yawning six lengths back in third.

East Anglian Daily Times: Jackstar ridden by jockey Richard Kingscote on his way to winning the Montaz Restaurant EBF Novice Stakes during day one of The Bet365 Craven Meeting at Newmarket Racecourse. Picture: PA SPORTJackstar ridden by jockey Richard Kingscote on his way to winning the Montaz Restaurant EBF Novice Stakes during day one of The Bet365 Craven Meeting at Newmarket Racecourse. Picture: PA SPORT (Image: PA Wire)

Winning trainer Mark Johnston said: “James said that he wasn’t sure they were going quick enough.

“He’s a bit laid-back and he wasn’t sure if he was giving the leader a bit too much rope.

“He got there nicely in the end. He stays every inch of the trip but I’ll talk to the owner and his representatives.

“We’ll decide a plan, but the Dante (York) looks the obvious race, and that will tell us whether we go to the Derby or not.”

Having earlier expressed satisfaction with Cracksman’s gallop before racing, John Gosden then saw Purser (2-1) prevail in a good finish to the British EBF bet365 Conditions Stakes.

Frankie Dettori kept his mount up to his work to win by a neck from Symbolization.

Gosden told Racing UK: “I think the King Charles II will be a nice place for him next before hopefully the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“I’d have to discuss it with the owner but I think he’d be perfect for America, around two turns.”

Charlie Appleby always has his string well forward at this time of year and advertised that fact when Aurum (11-4) made a taking debut in the first division of the Alex Scott Maiden under William Buick.

The second division went the way of Charlie Hills’ Porth Swtan (4-1), the most experienced runner in the race.

Tom Dascombe usually unearths a good juvenile or two and Jackstar (11-4) looks another who could potentially take high rank after a winning debut in the Montaz Restaurant EBF Novice Stakes.