Lucarno Puts Down Leger Marker

Lucarno is around a 5-1 chance from 14s for the St Leger after getting the better of a four-strong Aidan O'Brien challenge in the Ladbrokes Great Voltigeur Stakes at York.

John Gosden's colt was given a fine tactical ride from the front by Jimmy Fortune to keep the Ballydoyle ranks at bay by a length, with 9-4 favourite Yellowstone, Macarthur, Acapulco and then Mahler filling the next spots respectively.

Gosden thought enough of Lucarno (7-2) to run him in the Derby, where he was entirely justified with fourth position, and another Classic bid now looks likely.

'He has the speed to win over 10 furlongs but the Leger is a top race, it's a Classic,' said Gosden. 'I'd love to go, and we probably should go, but we'll see.'

O'Brien was more than compensated by Septimus putting in a classy performance in the Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup, where he clearly relished the step up to an extended two miles.

The 6-5 favourite cruised around the Knavesmire under Johnny Murtagh and was always in command after leading a furlong out.

O'Brien said: 'He was very sweet all the way and that was his first run back after a break, so there would be improvement to come.

'We gave him a break after the Coronation Cup to keep him fresh for an autumn campaign.

'He is a possible for the Melbourne Cup, along with Yeats and Scorpion.'

Brian Meehan has already sent out one smart juvenile in the last week through Saturday's Newbury winner Sharp Nephew, but Fast Company (11-4) was even more eyecatching in the Tattersalls Millions Acomb Stakes.

He fairly bolted up by three and a half lengths under Ryan Moore to take his unbeaten record to two, prompting sponsors Stan James to cut him to 16-1 for next year's 2000 Guineas.

Fiona Shaw, European racing manager for his owner Earle Mack, said: 'I've never seen a two-year-old win a Group Three like that without even a flick of the whip.

'We will have to decide now whether to go for the Dewhurst or the Champagne Stakes.'

Champion jockey Moore had earlier opened the meeting with a victory aboard Galactic Star in the Symphony Group Stakes.

Sir Michael Stoute's colt 6-1 (joint-favourite) has suffered a number of setbacks at home but came with a steady late run to deny Dunaskin.

The 4-1 favourite Oasis Wind looked to have the Irwin Mitchell Solicitors Stakes sewn up until Tim Easterby's 33-1 shot Cristal Clear came with a wet sail to nail him on the line.

Jim Goldie's 442-mile round trip from East Renfrewshire was made worthwhile as dual course and distance winner River Falcon (11-1) ended a long losing run in the Patrington Haven Leisure Park Stakes.

(C) PA Sport