THE former Group 2 winner Take Cover blitzed the home defence with a trailing blazing display in the Listed Mercury Stakes where the David Griffiths-trained eight-year-old led home a one-two three for the English raiders.

The Fran Berry-ridden Take Cover struggled in the Prix de l’Abbaye last time but had previously run very well to reach the frame in races won by Sole Power and Muthmir and he was restored to that level.