Sights now set on Juddmonte at York

Runner-up in the John Smith’s Cup over the same course and distance two weeks ago, Thundering Blue went one better to give his trainer David Menuisier his biggest success to date.

Rain-softened ground helped Fran Berry’s mount who overhauled Brorocco and Mark Johnston’s Elarqam late on. Menuisier said: “I can’t believe it. I’m still in shock. He’s now five, but he just keeps improving and improving.

“We were very unlucky here last time, so this is our revenge. He takes every yard of that trip to come and win, but there’s something about York that he loves, so why not (run in the Juddmonte)? That was my first Group winner so it’s a dream.”

Flying Pursuit could make a swift return to action at Goodwood next Saturday after the sprinter won back-to-back renewals of the Sky Bet Dash at York.

Trainer Tim Easterby would be keen to run the five-year-old chestnut in the Stewards’ Cup if there was rain at the Sussex track.

If not, the winner, ridden by Nathan Evans, will head to the Ayr Gold Cup after repelling stablemate Golden Apollo by a neck.