Harbinger new Leger favourite Harbinger took the step up to Group company in his stride when running out an impressive winner of the Betfair Gordon Stakes at Goodwood this afternoon. The Dansili colt was sent off the 11-4 favourite to build on an impressive maiden victory at Chester and travelled ominously well throughout under Ryan Moore. Once given the office by the champion jockey, the three-year-old soon put distance between himself and his rivals and only had to be kept up to his work to beat the progressive Firebet by a length and three-quarters. The once-raced Urban Poet ran a fine race to pick up minor honours in third. Sky Bet and Victor Chandler make Harbinger their new 3/1 favourite from 8-1 for the St Leger at Doncaster, while Paddy Power offer 4-1. Moore said: "The race was very stop start, it was a very messy race, but he never really lost his rhythm and he travelled there very sweetly. "I was in front soon enough, but he's a very relaxed horse and I was very pleased with him today. He shows a lot of speed so I don't know about the Leger, we'll see what the boss says." Stoute added: "I was highly delighted with the performance because he has had his muscle problems and they take time. He's not an elaborate home worker and that makes it very difficult to get an edge on him. "He's lazy at home but he's a lovely horse. I loved the way he travelled, he's got some class. I don't know about the Leger, when you look at his pedigree it doesn't scream Leger horse. We'll go to the Voltigeur next and then see."
