Maraahel galloped his way into the St Leger reckoning with a resounding victory in the ABN Amro Stakes at Glorious Goodwood yesterday.
The Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned colt had looked a shade unlucky when narrowly beaten at Royal Ascot, but made amends here by getting the better of his seven rivals in this 12-furlong contest.
They included another five entries for the Doncaster Classic.
Richard Hills sent the 9 to 4 chance to the front over two furlongs out and Maraahel stayed on strongly to win by a length and a half from Aiden O'Brien's Go For Gold, with Remaadd keeping on well to claim third, the same distance away.
The Group Three race, registered as the Gordon Stakes, is a recognised trial for the Leger, and Maraahel earned a top quote of 8 to 1 from Ladbrokes and Victor Chandler to give trainer Michael Stoute his first success in the oldest Classic.
Godolphin's Duke Of Venice was sent off the heavily-backed 13 to 8 favourite but never looked likely to justify the support and finished a well-beaten fifth. As a result, William Hill pushed him out to 16 to 1 for Doncaster.
Angus Gold, racing manager to the winning owner, said that the last Classic of the season was likely to be Maraahel's objective, when the son of Alzao will be attempting a mile and three-quarters for the first time.
He said: "It's the obvious target, but to be honest I've never discussed it with the trainer whether he thinks he'll stay. Richard said he's such a relaxed horse he'll give himself every chance of getting it.
"I wouldn't say there's an awful lot of stamina on his dam's side. For us it has been a fast family, but as Richard says, he relaxes so well he'll give himself a chance.
"Whether he stays only time will tell us, unless Michael Stoute says he'd rather stick at a mile and a half. But by the look on the jockey's face I'd say the temptation might prove too much."
Maraahel finished second on his two previous starts this season, and Gold continued: "He's been unlucky in both his runs so far, but I'm delighted he's won a race. He's done nothing but improve all year. He was a weak horse last year but the further he's gone the better he's got."
Godolphin blamed the nature of the course for Duke Of Venice's poor showing. Racing manager Simon Crisford said: "He absolutely hated the track. We could see that even before Frankie (Dettori) told us."
Richard Hughes expects to be out of the saddle for up to three weeks with a back injury.
The jockey, who has ridden 43 winners this year, missed his intended rides at Ascot at the weekend due to back pain, and an MRI scan yesterday revealed the problem.
"I have slipped a disc but hope to be back riding in two to three weeks - I'm going to have to have some box-rest," Hughes told BBC Sport.
"It's been one of those years. I punctured my lung and broke a few ribs and I got back within two weeks after that. I rode for two weeks but the ribs were still hurting me and I had to take another week off."
