Abbey storms to classy Trophy win

St Nicholas has won three races out of three

St Nicholas Abbey powered to a stunning Group One victory in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster to underline his Classic credentials.

Johnny Murtagh brought the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt from the rear into the lead with a furlong to go.

The 13-8 favourite showed his pace to race clear and finish well ahead of Elusive Pimpernel with Al Zir third.

St Nicholas has already been compared to Sea The Stars and was made favourite for the Derby after his emphatic win.

St Nicholas was one of five colts with 100% records going into Doncaster's feature race and he made it three wins from three with a brilliant turn of pace.

He's a nice horse with great speed. Everything is open for him with the speed he showed today

Johnny Murtagh

"That was very special, he's just an unbelievably special horse," said O'Brien.

"He's just one of those unique horses with loads of speed and class. Trip doesn't bother him and Johnny was super-cool on him, he was very confident."

Bookmakers reacted by making St Nicholas favourite for next year's Derby and shortened his odds for the 2000 Guineas.

"It's a big step up to Group company, but this lad has taken it in his stride," added Murtagh.

606: DEBATE

I don't often get carried away by a two-year-old's performance but that was a very serious performance

Dancingbraveforever

"He's a nice horse with great speed. Everything is open for him with the speed he showed today."

Meanwhile, Barry Geraghty rode Monet's Garden (12-1) to victory in the Grade Two Roan Chase at Aintree.

The grey, who beat Kauto Star to win the race in 2007, triumphed by two and a half lengths from Tidal Bay, with third-placed Knowhere 13 lengths back.

Geraghty said: "He has jumped as good as you could ever wish a horse to jump. I couldn't be more delighted with him."

The 11-4 joint-favourite Tartak made mistakes at the second, eighth and fourth from home and was last of the eight to finish.