St Nicholas Abbey justified 2/5 favouritism when coming home in front of the Juddmonte Beresford Stakes Group 2 for trainer Aidan O’Brien with Johnny Murtagh in the saddle.

Murtagh produced the son of Montjeu to lead inside the final furlong and kept on gamely for a three parts of a length win over Layali Al Andalus

Winning trainer O’Brien said afterwards: “He’s a lovely horse and he’s come forward well from his first run.”

“He could possibly run in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster next month. He looks to be a classic type horse for next year and Johnny was really impressed with him.”