ROGER Charlton’s Decorated Knight further enhanced his trainer’s tremendous record with his occasional Irish raiders as he outclassed the home defence in the ICON Meld Stakes.

The Royal Hunt Cup hero Portage was an odds-on chance to keep this nine furlongs Group 3 at home, but centre stage went to Decorated Knight, who ensured that the prize went for export for the first time in 14 years. In the Derby-winning colours of Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar, the son of Galileo won at listed level earlier in the season, but this display served notice that he has a fine future at pattern level.