With an important week coming up for Josephine Gordon, the 24-year-old grabbed the spotlight once more after partnering Saeed Bin Suroor’s filly Arabian Hope to success in the Listed Ganton Stakes at York.

A warm-looking renewal of the eight furlong contest, from the outset a scorching pace was set courtesy of the Ralph Beckett-trained Golden Stunner and Kahfoo Shememi.

Gordon took a position on the rail in fourth under Arabian Hope with eventual favourite Spark Plug leading the remainder in a distant fifth.

Golden Stunner led her nine rivals into the home straight travelling kindly under Fran Berry. The field however began to close in on the leader within the final two furlongs.

With five horses looking to have a chance inside the final furlong, Arabian Hope switched out from in behind and came with a sustained challenge to get up in the shadows of the post to score by a head.

Former Group 3-winner Thikriyaat ran on down the outside to finish a close enough third.

A daughter of Distorted Humour, Arabian Hope had up until now raced exclusively on the all-weather. Her two wins from three starts previously both came in the hands of Gordon.

“She battled out and went again for me , she was quite tight of room to be honest, there’s not much of her,” reflected Gordon.

Getting rides like this is brilliant

“She’s tough, she’s got a big heart. I actually thought she might be a bit out of her depth a bit here and struggle but she’s took it all in her stride.

“It feels me with a lot of confidence next week is going to be a big week and so far the biggest of my career. Getting rides like this is brilliant.”

Only days away from Royal Ascot, this victory no doubt comes as a confidence booster for the young rider who discovered only recently that she would have a handful of rides at the meeting including on Sandringham fancy Gymnaste.