AIDAN O’Brien landed the old one-two in the Group 2 Betway Great Voltigeur Stakes and Idaho is as short as 6/4 for the St Leger with sponsors Ladbrokes after smoothly accounting for stable-companion Housesofparliament by just under two lengths. Across The Bay was a similar distance away in third.

The result came as a relief to favourite backers after a couple of setbacks and Idaho, second to Harzand in the Irish Derby and third to him at Epsom, could hardly have won with more authority. Settled in the last pair by Seamie Heffernan, as Jamie Spencer made the running on Housesofparliament, the winning rider looked quite unconcerned as the leader opened up a gap, travelling well to boot.

Taking his time to hit top gear, Idaho gradually closed him down and went past quite comfortably, pulling nicely clear towards the finish. As trials go – and this has often been a most informative one - it was an entirely satisfactory performance by the winner, who made his 5/6 SP seem quite generous.

“He had solid form and we expected him to take all the beating,” Heffernan said. “He’s improving from run to run and won well today. The way Aidan trains them, they keep improving and there is a good chance he will improve again for a step-up in trip.”

DELIGHTED

O’Brien was understandably delighted with the outcome and there must be a chance that both horses will go to Doncaster.

“We were very pleased with Idaho,” he said. “He had a tough race in the Irish Derby and then had a good break. He relaxed lovely and you’d have to be very happy. Jamie said his horse stayed very well and Seamie was happy, too. I think Idaho might go up to a mile and six but I’m not sure you’d go much further than that. He travels very well and might come back to a mile and a half or even a mile and a quarter as a four-year-old.”

There is little prospect of the beaten contingent reversing the form at any stage, although Across The Bay ran well the whole way and confirmed the well-being of Sir Michael Stoute’s string. There are more good races in him.