Classy Authorized holds off Dylan

Derby winner Authorized regained the winning thread by beating Dylan Thomas in the Juddmonte International at York.

Peter Chapple-Hyam's 6/4 favourite travelled like a class act under Frankie Dettori and moved smoothly into contention after entering the straight.

He took up the running from Notnowcato one and a half furlongs from home and although Dylan Thomas tried to get on terms, he could never peg him back, finishing a length in arrears.

Chapple-Hyam told Channel 4 Racing: "I was saying to Frankie let him go because I could see Dylan Thomas making ground and he's a hard horse to crack.

"There was never a moment when I thought he wouldn't win. But I was wanting Frankie to let him go. He was giving him a pull and he's a galloper. He's a great horse. It's easy (training them) when they are that good."

Dettori added: "He's a great Derby winner. He's beaten a King George winner (Dylan Thomas) and an Eclipse winner (Notnowcato). I've never seen a horse in a big race travel so well. The further he was going, the further he was pulling.

"In the Derby in the first week of June he gave a great performance and he has put the record straight today. He is a true champion. I've had the flu for two weeks but nothing would keep me away from this."

Saleh Al Homeizi, who jointly leases the colt from Sheikh Mohammed in company with Imad Al Sagar, added: "Peter was so thrilled that the horse had come back to his best as he was in the Derby. After today I think he is the best around and I hope we continue that in the Arc. He's a great horse and now it's on to Paris."

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Dylan Thomas, said: "He ran a blinder but he's a fast ground horse and just couldn't quite pick up as well on that ground today."

Sir Michael Stoute, whose Notnowcato had upstaged Authorized in the Eclipse, was philosophical in defeat and said of the third: "Those are the best around and he never lets us down."