Maltese Cross Wins Great Voltigeur Stakes at York

Maltese Cross won the Group Two Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on Wednesday afternoon, beating Pierre Bonnard in the 3.00 race at the Ebor meeting. The Guardian reported that the 9-4 chance delivered a convincing success in a competitive six-runner contest over one mile, three furlongs and 188 yards.

Watch the highlights:

The early shape of the race changed when Antigua missed the start before moving forward to establish a steady pace. Christmas Day raced in second, with Maltese Cross and Pierre Bonnard positioned close behind as the field remained tightly grouped through the middle stages.

As Antigua weakened in the straight, Christmas Day took over, but the challengers quickly closed. The Guardian’s live report described four horses in line with two furlongs remaining. Maltese Cross was travelling best, moved into the lead and stayed on strongly, while Pierre Bonnard emerged as the runner-up.

The performance carried added weight because Maltese Cross was conceding five pounds to Pierre Bonnard. Maltese Cross and Christmas Day both entered with five-pound penalties attached to their previous Group One victories, conditions that brought the rest of the field closer to them on paper.

The York result extended a notable season for Maltese Cross. The colt had finished second to Christmas Day in the Derby at Epsom in June before winning the Group One Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp in July. Pierre Bonnard had also brought relevant form into the race, having finished only a neck behind Christmas Day in Ireland.

What comes next remains undecided. The Guardian reported that trainer William Haggas was non-committal when asked about a possible Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe campaign, while owner George Waud appeared interested in a return to Paris. The St Leger was also discussed after the York victory, but no target was confirmed. For now, the established result is another major win for Maltese Cross, achieved under a penalty and against rivals with strong form of their own.