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Muntahaa's owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: "His ability was never in doubt. It was just a case of getting him in good form mentally.

"John said to me last week he had never had this horse better."

Asked whether a tilt at the Melbourne Cup could be considered, Gold added: "If entries haven't closed yet, we'll put him in. Whether he'd take to it mentally with the hustle and bustle, I don't know."

Jarlath Fahey was delighted with the performance of Sea The Lion and is already eyeing a tilt at next year's Ebor, which will be worth £1million.

He said: "We're thrilled. When you hit the places at a meeting like this, it's unbelievable.

"We have no plans, but we might come back next year and try to win the million."

Meanwhile, Expert Eye saw off admirable veteran Gordon Lord Byron to rediscover the winning trail in the Sky Bet City of York Stakes.

The one-time Classic contender Expert Eye bounced back from a disappointing run in the 2000 Guineas to win the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot in June and was last seen chasing home Lightning Spear in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

Back in distance and class for this seven-furlong Group Three, Sir Michael Stoute's colt was the 11-10 favourite under Frankie Dettori and while popular 10-year-old Gordon Lord Byron lunged late, he was just unable to quite get on terms.

Stoute said: "We just need to eke out a little more improvement. He's not too far off Group One (class) now.

"I'd be looking at France for the next step - the Moulin or the Foret. He'll get a mile. I'm not worried."

Lord Glitters (2-1 favourite) shone in the other Group race on the York card, the Strensall Stakes.

His trainer David O'Meara said: "He's a very good horse. He's been unlucky not to have won a Group One in this country.

"The Woodbine Mile next month is on his agenda and then after that we'll see. He's gone well at Ascot, so you'd like to think the QEII in the middle of October would suit him well."

York results - Saturday: 1.50: 1 Lord Glitters 2-1 Fav D Tudhope, 2 Mustashry 9-2, 3 Chief Ironside 10-1, 2.25: 1 Ghostwatch 10-1 W Buick, 2 Supernova 6-1, 3 Proschema 20-1, 3.00: 1 Expert Eye Evens Fav L Dettori, 2 Gordon Lord Byron 25-1 W J Lee, 3 Arbalet 12-1, 3.40: Muntahaa 11-1 Jim Crowley, 2 Weekender 15-2, 3 Sea The Lion 9-1, 4.15: 1 Well Done Fox 13-2 Jim Crowley, 2 Deia Glory 50-1, 3 Sabre 2-1 Fav, 4.50: 1 Pivoine 6-1 Jason Watson, 2 Alfarris 9-2 Fav, 3 Banditry 8-1, 5.20: 1 Eeh Bah Gum 7-1 Jamie Gormley, 2 Fool For You 16-1, 3 Marnie James 10-1.