Spycatcher continued his productive season with a decisive victory in the Group Three Prix de Ris-Orangis at Deauville – booking his ticket to some big late-season targets in the process.
The five-year-old, who is trained by Karl Burke, was returning to action relatively quickly after finishing second by a neck in the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle last weekend.
For owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, the gelding was partnered by Clifford Lee and struck as the 5-2 joint-favourite in a field of eight.
On soft ground he made light work of it, striding into contention a furlong out and surging on to prevail by three lengths on the line.
Highclere’s Harry Herbert said: “He’s such a wonderful horse and he’s getting better, especially on that ground.
“He was seriously impressive, we’re over the moon. I was talking to Karl and we’ll enter him at Haydock for those big autumn sprints. Hopefully he’ll get his ground and we’ll let him take his chance.
“He’s never been happier, he’s never worked better and he’s never run better!
“It’s really exciting with a horse as talented as he is. When he finds his mojo and everything goes smoothly he is a top-class sprinter and he showed it today.
“He can flip between six (furlongs) and seven, but I think with a strongly-run six on soft ground he’s pretty lethal.
“We’re thrilled to bits, they’re a lovely group of owners and he’s been such a credit to Karl and the team.
“They’ve travelled far and wide for his races and his very rarely runs a bad one.”
