The sponsors decision to award a place in the Classic itself to the winner of the Investec Derby Trial rather backfired when the Epsom race was won by the gelding Goldoni (13-2).

Geldings are not allowed to take part in the Derby, but trainer Andrew Balding still believes his charge has a bright future and can aim him at the top races.

Several, including the 9-4 favourite Cameron Highland (third), failed to handle the soft ground and David Probert pushed his mount a length and three-quarters clear of Mister Music.

"It saves Investec some money. He was a pretty useful horse anyway but he has improved a lot for being gelded and should have a good season. He'll probably run in the Lingfield Derby Trial now and then the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot," said Balding.

John Gosden's Aiken resumed his upward curve in the Investec Great Metropolitan Handicap. Successful on his final three starts last year at Chester, Sandown and Ascot, Aiken had been put away in order to save him for better options as a four-year-old.

It took him a little while to get accustomed to the Epsom cambers with William Buick needing to persuade the 100-30 favourite but once he hit the front with a couple of furlongs to run, he sailed clear. First Avenue was even slower to hit top gear but closed dramatically in the final stages to finish a neck behind.

Gosden said: "The problem we had as a three-year-old was that once you reach a handicap mark of 90-plus you can't find a race for half the season. He has trained well this spring and it was a good effort on that ground. The Great Met is a good prize - I used to come here with my old man to see it."

Right Step (14-1) was produced with a withering late run by Jim Crowley to claim the lucrative Investec City And Suburban Handicap.

Trainer Alan Jarvis said: "He's incredibly genuine. He's got a name for himself for always coming second but he's just been unlucky. He could come back here for a race he's been second in before, or go to a race at York he was also second in."