Term Of Endearment successfully stepped up in class in the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood on Saturday.

Henry de Bromhead’s mare had already won twice at Group 3 level this season, landing the Give Thanks Stakes at Cork and most recently the Bronte Cup when providing Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Rachael Blackmore with a notable success on her first ever visit to York.

Testing the water at Group 2 level for the first time on the Sussex downs, Term Of Endearment was a 15/2 shot in the hands of Billy Lee and finished with gusto over the one-mile-six-furlong trip to get the better of Night Sparkle by three-quarters of a length.

River Of Stars was third, with Caius Chorister weakening into fourth after making much of the running.

For the second year in succession, Free Wind proved bitterly disappointing as the 11/4 favourite, this time trailing home last of eight runners.

Lee said of the winner: “She’s done it well. She jumped nicely and got me into a good rhythm the whole way.

“It’s my first time here but I was following Oisin (Murphy, on Night Sparkle) – I tracked him through and this filly picked up well down the hill.

“My only worry was this is the quickest ground she has been on, but she cruised into the race. I was probably there a bit too soon but I knew that she would stay and she’s as fit as a flea from Henry’s.

“I think she is maybe improving. She handled that ground really well and even a step up to two miles might not be out of her reach. It would be nice to see how far she can get.”

De Bromhead added: “I’m delighted for Carmel Acheson (owner). We picked this race after York, we said that we would have a go – the owners are good sports people and I’m delighted to do it.

“It’s my first runner here, we’ve had a lovely time, we’ve been well looked after and we’re having a great day.

“I’m not sure I ever go anywhere with confidence but she had won a couple of Group 3s, so it seemed like the natural progression.

“All options are open and we’ll see. She’s in the Irish St Leger and I think there is a nice race at York, so we’ll see.”