Betway Great Voltigeur Stakes
Group 2, York 15:05 £160,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 4f, Class 1
Wednesday 17th August 2016

1 Idaho 5/6F
2 Housesofparliament 6/1
3 Across The Stars 9/2
6 ran Distances: 1¾l, 1¾l, 4½l
TIME 2m 29.41s (slow by 1.41s)

Idaho shows his class and lands the Great Voltigeur stakes for Aidan O'Brien

Idaho
© Caroline Norris

Idaho produced a taking performance to win the Great Voltigeur from stablemate Housesofparliament, in the process confirming his Ladbrokes St Leger credentials.

Held up in last early on as Housesofparliament set the tempo under Jamie Spencer, the 5/6 favourite still had plenty to do entering the final quarter-mile, before squeezing through between runners a furlong from home as he began to bear down on the leader under Seamie Heffernan.

It soon became clear that Housesofparliament had nothing left to give as Idaho swept past to win by a convincing length and a quarter, prompting the sponsors to cut him from 4/1 to 6/4 for the final Classic of the season.

Heffernan said: "He had solid form. We expected him to take all the beating."

Winning trainer Aidan O'Brien added: "We're very happy with him. He travelled really well."

Across The Stars finished third for Sir Michael Stoute and was eased to 20/1 for the St Leger by Sky Bet, who make Idaho their strong 7/4 favourite.

Spokesman Michael Shinners said: "That was a seriously impressive performance in a noted St Leger trial and there's no reason he won't line up at Doncaster as the one to beat.

"Another two furlongs should only help him improve and it's not far-fetched to envisage him going off odds-on."

Great Voltigeur Stakes (Group 2)
£160,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 4f, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good to Firm