Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2)

JAMES Ferguson was denied a 1-2 in the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes in the dying strides, but he will be delighted with the success of Deauville Legend (Dan Muscutt) in the St Leger Trial.

The winner justified strong support which saw him start favourite at 5/2.

Stablemate and eventual third El Bodegon hit the front two furlongs out in the hands of Hollie Doyle, but Muscutt was moving sweetly all the time on Deauville Legend, and he soon put the race to bed when belatedly asked to do so, hitting the front over a furlong out and clearing away from the pace-setter.

El Bodegon faded late and was passed for second by State Secret (Charlie Appleby/Will Buick), although that rival never carried a winning threat, and the distances at the line were two and three-quarter lengths and a length and a half.

Deauville Legend won the Bahrain Trophy on his penultimate outing and had run well to be second in both the Queen’s Vase and the Gordon Stakes, so was entitled to win this on form, for all Goodwood handicap winner State Secret was preferred initially in the betting.

The St Leger is off the table for Deauville Legend (he’s a gelding), but a trip to Australia for the Melbourne Cup could be an option, while El Bodegon could join him on that journey, as the young trainer - soon to take over Hugo Palmer’s yard at Kremlin Cottage - explained.

“Credit to both horses,” said a proud Ferguson. “They’ve both run fantastic races and I’m delighted for both sets of owners. They should both have successful careers Down Under.

“At the moment, El Bodegon is in the Cox Plate and Deauville Legend is in the Melbourne Cup, but that’s not all set in stone. Quarantine is about two weeks. Hopefully, they will be in Australia in early October.”