Derby rematch in the offing in Great Voltigeur
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Thu 13 Aug 2026
Derby winner Christmas Day and Grand Prix de Paris hero Maltese Cross are among 10 confirmations for the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on Wednesday.
Aidan O’Brien’s Christmas Day finished two and three-quarter lengths in front of the William Haggas-trained Maltese Cross at Epsom but was beaten by stablemate Benvenuto Cellini when bidding for a Derby double in Ireland.
Maltese Cross continued his progression in France, seeing off Charlie Johnston’s Ancient Egypt by a head, but as Group One winners the top two will carry a 5lb penalty, which Haggas believes is harsh.
He said: “He’s in good shape. I don’t like the 5lb penalty, I think 3lb would have been plenty – but it is what it is and we’ve got no other choice if we want to run in the Leger or the Arc. We need to run in a recognised trial and the Voltigeur is certainly that.
“It’ll be a tough race, especially with his penalty, but he’s very well and doesn’t appear to mind any ground so we’re very hopeful.”
O’Brien has also confirmed his King Edward VII winner Causeway, who disappointed behind Maltese Cross in France, Action, Antigua and Group One-winning juvenile Pierre Bonnard.
It would not be out of the ordinary for O’Brien to run the Derby winner back in a Group Two as just last year Lambourn took the same route and was a beaten odds-on favourite.
Joseph O’Brien has confirmed his Queen’s Vase winner Limestone, sixth behind Maltese Cross in France, but not Enceladus.
Galiyan, Round The Table and Superior Choice make up the 10 possibles.
Aidan O’Brien has three of the 15 in the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes.
His trio is headed by Haffner, a narrow second in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood. Confucius, beaten favourite in his last three starts and the promising Giant Sequoia are also entered.
Charlie Appleby has entered Nabati, Ed Walker has put in Alfred Wallace while Andrew Balding could run the once-raced Gentle Hurricane.
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