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Roger Varian has well and truly broken free of the virus shackles as Barsanti defied top weight in the Sky Bet First Race Special Stakes at York.

After a very quiet spell for such a big yard, Varian had been especially dormant through August but a winner at Doncaster on Saturday steadied his nerves ahead of this week.

Postponed, his stable star, then went and won the Juddmonte International on Wednesday, and Barsanti (5-1 joint-favourite) continued his progression in determined style, racing in the same colours.

Having travelled to the front in effortless fashion, he had to knuckle down to see off the persistent challenges of Shakopee and Moonmeister by a neck and a head under Andrea Atzeni.

Varian said: "He doesn't need too much more racing this year as he's had some tough races.

"He's got stakes-race potential and, in time, international races could appeal.

"We're not a one-horse yard so it's very satisfying to back-up Postponed's win on Wednesday."

Rivet confirmed the promise of his debut when winning the British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes, the most valuable race of its type.

Second at Ascot on his debut to Eqtiraan, he was sent off the 15-8 favourite to go one place better.

Frankie Dettori found himself stuck on the wide outside with two furlongs to run as Via Serendipity cruised to the front.

But as soon as the William Haggas-trained youngster was asked a question he quickened round the whole field to win going away by three and a quarter lengths from Contrapposto, with Via Serendipity third.

"I told Frankie to go up the inside, he never listens to me," quipped Haggas.

"He's got speed but should stay a mile, he's a nice horse. It's only a maiden and you never know but he did pick up very well.

"He ran a nice race first time and improved from it, like we hope all ours do."

He added: "We've put him in a few smart races, the Champagne, Middle Park and Dewhurst just in case."

Arcanada claimed top spot in the concluding Nationwide Accident Repair Services Stakes for last-minute deputy Royston French.

French replaced Richard Kingscote, who was caught in traffic and arrived at the course too late, aboard Tom Dacombe's inmate and bounded into the lead quite a long way from home.

The 5-1 co-favourite's advantage was reduced by Banksea late on, but Arcanada ended up winning by a snug three-quarters of a length.

Dascombe's assistant Colin Gorman said: "He's a big improver, this horse, and Royston gave him a very good ride as he doesn't know him at all.

"Dubai could be on the agenda."