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Caspar Netscher gave Alan McCabe his biggest training success with a hard-fought victory in the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York.

Robert Winston had him settled beautifully in rear before making his move on the far side of the track, and though the 5-1 shot cut across Burwaaz after taking the lead, he was far enough ahead at the time.

He galloped on strongly to win by two and a quarter lengths from Lilbourne Lad, who pipped Burwaaz for second by a head.

Winston said: "He takes a bit of getting to know, and when he veered off to the right I just gave him a couple of reminders to go forward and he did.

"He's getting better as the year goes on. When I got on him in the paddock the last day I said to Alan he had strengthened up and he's a very nice horse to be on now."

Newark-based McCabe has held a licence for five years and waqs thrilled by his major success.

"That's superb. It's all credit to the team at home and to Charles Wentworth, who is one of my biggest patrons,” he said.

"We'll take him home and see how he is and he's got entries everywhere.

“We're even thinking about the Breeders' Cup, but that's a long way off. He's physically and mentally still improving."

Wentworth added: "He is in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on September 10, so that's an option and he'll definitely get seven furlongs.

“This horse was bought for me as a birthday present from my wife, so it's a dream come true."

Connections of the Richard Hannon-trained runner-up Lilbourne Lad were delighted with his performance under a 3lb penalty.

The trainer's son and assistant Richard Hannon junior said: "It was a smashing effort with that penalty and he's a pleasure to train. Where we go from here I'm not sure."