MARMELO initiated another likely raid on the Melbourne Cup after he sparkled at York on Saturday.

Hughie Morrison's likeable stayer finished ninth in the big race at Flemington last year and edged closer toward a return to Australia after winning the Grand Cup by a neck from Weekender.

Marmelo hardly streaked to victory, but there was something about the manner in which he strode towards the line to suggest there is a great deal more to come.

Morrison said: "We'll go back to France next for the race he won last year (Prix Kergorlay) and then go back to Australia.

"I think he's still improving. A sound horse should keep on improving until they are six."

Josephine Gordon hit the jackpot with victory aboard Encrypted in the Pavers Foundation Catherine Memorial Sprint Handicap at York.

Gordon's companion charged a neck clear to take the £100,000 sprint for Newmarket trainer Hugo Palmer.

The jockey said: "He's so easy and straightforward. I think there's still more to come from him."

Connections stated afterwards that races like the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood would now be under consideration for Encrypted.

Love Island star Chris Hughes steered Carnageo into fifth place in the Best Western Hotels & Macmillan Ride of their Lives charity race.

The spoils were shared by Sarah Fanning, wife of top Flat jockey Joe Fanning, on the Mark Johnston-trained X Rated and Brian Ellison's charge Apterix, ridden by Chris Brownless.

Haddaf bounced back to form to claim a second success over the five-furlong track at Sandown as he took the Listed honours in the Randox Health Scurry Stakes.

Trainer James Tate told Press Association Sport: "We might try six furlong next time on the Tapeta at Newcastle in the Chipchase.

"On a normal, flat five furlongs he gets a little outpaced, but this uphill five at Sandown does suit him."

Laurens gave trainer Karl Burke and jockey PJ McDonald their first taste of Classic success with a determined victory in Sunday's Prix de Diane at Chantilly.

She broke smartly from her wide berth in stall 12 and although she was trapped wide throughout, Laurens was still travelling strongly at the top of the home straight.

Former jumps jockey McDonald had to get to work with two furlongs to run, but Laurens answered his every call to see off all comers and claim a popular success.

Burke said: "We're all ecstatic, as you can imagine.

"Every winning jockey gives a horse a good ride, but I thought PJ was exceptional on her. From her wide draw he got her into the A1 position. It was absolutely superb.

"She's in the Irish Oaks and the Yorkshire Oaks is a race we'd love to go for, for obvious reasons. Whether she runs in one or both of those races, we'll have to see. We'll let her tell us what she wants to do.

"She's in the Arc at the end of the year and a gentleman from Japan has told me today she qualifies for a very valuable fillies' race out there now, so all options are open to her."