EAST Ilsley trainer Hughie Morrison put Nearly Caught’s improvement down to a liking for the French air after the gelding landed the Group 2 Darley Prix Kergorlay at Deauville in emphatic fashion.

Italian jockey Umberto Rispoli steered the 11-2 winner to a three-and-a-half length victory and capture the first prize of £54,485.

Morrison, who won the mile and seven-furlong contest with Alcazar in 2005, said: “He’s obviously improved 10lb coming to France.

Going left-handed and a flat track and travelling – you wouldn’t believe it.”

Scarlet Dragon continued Blewbury trainer Eve Johnson Houghton’s impressive run when taking the Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Stakes in fine style at York’s Ebor Festival on Saturday.

And Scarlet Dragon provided her most valuable triumph of the campaign when galloping home by two and three-quarter lengths to claim the £37,350 first prize.

Wantage trainer Henry Candy is eyeing a crack at the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint with Limato after the gelding finished second to Mecca’s Angel in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York.