Pride Of Arras returns to form with Voltigeur victory

Pride Of Arras made a brilliant return to the scene of his finest hour to claim a Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York as dual Derby hero Lambourn misfired.

An impressive winner of the Dante on the Knavesmire earlier in the season, Ralph Beckett’s charge has proven no match for Aidan O’Brien’s Lambourn in both the Derby and Irish equivalent earlier in the season.

Sent off 12-1 in his first outing since being gelded, Rossa Ryan was in no rush as the 4-5 favourite Lambourn was immediately gunned to the front by Ryan Moore to keep close tabs on stablemate Thrice who was undertaking pacemaking duties.

However, unlike in his two Classic triumphs, Lambourn was unable to shrug off his rivals and with the pack swarming, it was Pride Of Arras who hit top gear up at the right time up the long home straight to return a length verdict over Paddy Twomey’s previously unbeaten Carmers.

Lambourn ended up a well-held fifth, with William Haggas’ Arabian Force another to stay on from the rear to take third ahead of Ballydoyle’s Stay True.