Saunter strolls to victory at Goodwood

A review of the rest of Tuesday's meeting at Goodwood, where David Menuisier's Saunter made a faultless start in the UK.

David Menuisier celebrated his first winner at Goodwood after Saunter made his first start in Britain a winning one in the Levin Down Maiden Stakes.

Giving a enterprising ride from the front by title chasing jockey Jim Crowley, the 7/2 shot confirmed the promise of some solid form in France to land the mile and a quarter contest.

Despite being out in front from the outset, the gelded son of Myboycharlie found plenty when asked the question to draw right away from his rivals and claim a five-length success.

Although the Luca Cumani-trained debutant Brodie was backed as if defeat was out of the question, the 5-4 favourite could only manage third.

Menuisier said: "He belonged to Qatar Racing and was trained by Mickel Delzangles. They decided to sell him at the Arc sale in October.

"Michael Watt bought him and sent him to me and said I think we have got something to work on.

"He ran really well first time at Chantilly in April then he had a little setback. We gave him plenty of time off to grow and get stronger as he was very unfurnished.

"We ran him in France the other day and he needed the run big time. He came on a lot for that. I think we need to go back home and see how he comes out the race and make a plan then.

"It feels good to have a winner here. I've been living in the area for 10 years and it was always a successful course when I was with John Dunlop.

"It obviously means the world to me to have my first winner here."

Crowley completed his brace aboard the Conrad Allen-trained Hard Toffee (15-8) in the concluding Flying School at Goodwood Stakes.

Richard Hannon was slightly surprised after Desert Water made a winning debut in the EBF Stallions Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

While no stranger to sending out first-time winners, the Marlborough handler expected the daughter of Sepoy to be in need of the run in the one-mile contest.

Despite her inexperience, the 14/1 shot came with a strong late run around the outside of the field before sticking her head down well to hold off the challenge of joint-favourite Dubara by a neck.

Hannon said: "She is a nice filly but I thought she would need it. She got the trip well and showed she has a willing attitude. She has a good turn of foot.

"She has surprised me a bit though as I thought she would get tired, but she was obviously fit enough. She will improve for that massively. There are no big entries yet but that will obviously change, while she looks like she will go further.

"She might get a mile and a quarter one day. We could have a look at a conditions race next."

Paco's Angel gained a second victory of the season when bursting through late on to take the Charlton Hunt Nursery Fillies' Stakes.

Having finished second on each of her three starts either side of her maiden win at Windsor, the Richard Hughes-trained two-year-old struck gold on her second attempt over six furlongs.

Ridden just behind the early pace which was cut out by Rajar and Camargue, Paco's Angel made what was to be a race winning move approaching the final furlong.

Although Miss Sugars made a late bid to catch the 8-1 shot, she failed by a length.

Hughes said: "We were very pleased with her last run at Newmarket as they went slow and she can't do anything quick and she needs seven furlongs. Shane Kelly gave her a great ride.

"You need the patience of a saint to ride her and Tom Finn, who rides her every morning, has done a great job. Every morning he bites his lips having to ride her but it can make or break them.

"We will step her up as we are keen to get some black type. Miss Danvers has beaten her and Equimou who finished behind her at Windsor has been placed in a Listed race.

"We want to go seven really but if it was a fast six that would suit her. We might look at the race up at Ayr (Firth Of Clyde Stakes)."

St Michel (4-5 favourite) enhanced his chances of making an appearance in the Betfred Cesarewitch, for which he is 12-1 shot for with the sponsors, when surviving a late drift left before getting up to land the Royal Sussex Regiment Stakes.

Winning jockey Luke Morris said: "He is still quite raw. He did the same at Sandown and cost himself the race.

"He is an improving young stayer and I would say that the Cesarewitch is the likely aim, but he needs to go up a bit in the weights for that."

The Ontawinner syndicate will be hoping the victory of the Karl Burke-trained Yeeoow (4-1) in the Goodwood Revival Stakes is a sign of things to come for the seven-year-old's stable companion Quiet Reflection in the 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday.