The concession of a whopping 24lbs to the strongly fancied Acapulco could not prevent MECCA'S ANGEL (IRE) from lifting the Nunthorpe Stakes at York. What acceleration the four-year-old daughter of Dark Angel (IRE) displayed inside the final furlong, pulling clear by two lengths from the powerfully built American juvenile.

Trainer Michael Dods said the next target would be the Group 2 Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend. Morristown Lattin Stud's star stallion Dark Angel (IRE) is the sire and MECCA'S ANGEL (IRE)'s full brother, the three-year-old Markaz (IRE), won the Group 3 Criterion Stakes in June. She was bred in partnership by Yeomanstown Stud and Doc Bloodstock.

Meanwhile, the Willie Mullins-trained MAX DYNAMITE looks a major contender for the Melbourne Cup judged on how he demolished his opposition in the Group 2 Lonsdale Stakes under Frankie Dettori. On his previous start he placed second in the Galway Hurdle, but he began his career in France where he was pretty smart on the Flat, Listed placed and a close fourth at Group 2 level.

Barry Hills' three-year-old filly FADHAYYIL (IRE) won a strong renewal of the Listed City Of York Stakes, beating Speculative Bid (IRE) with the pair coming clear. Her form looks rock solid having run second in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. FADHAYYIL (IRE) is by Derrinstown Stud sire Tamayuz and is a half-brother to four winners, including the Listed scorer Athenian (IRE). Her half-brother named Zipzip (IRE) has won his last three starts in France and is entered for the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in September.

FABULOUS FRENCH GROUP 1 DOUBLE FOR IRISH-BRED HORSES

Irish-bred horses achieved a fabulous Group 1 double at Deauville on Sunday, with an impressive win by SHALAA (IRE) in the Prix Morny and ODELIZ (IRE) a gallant, even if surprise, winner of the Prix Jean Romanet.

It was the second consecutive Irish-bred winner of the Prix Morny following on from The Wow Signal (IRE)'s victory last year, and it was also the second consecutive winner owned by Al Shaqab and ridden by Frankie Dettori, with John Gosden this year's winning trainer. Ridden positively to the front, SHALAA (IRE) was headed narrowly before halfway, and Dettori waited to pounce in the final furlong, driving his mount out to win by a length and three quarters. Goffs November Foal Sale graduate Gutaifan (IRE), a son of Dark Angel (IRE), took runners-up honours to give Al Shaqab a 1-2. Despite running on ground softer than preferred, the colt's pilot was full of praise for the winner, declaring him the best two-year-old he's ever ridden- high praise from the man who rode Dubawi (IRE) to win the National Stakes, Casamento (IRE) in the Racing Post Trophy and Dutch Art to win the Middle Park Stakes.

Already a dual Group 2 winner, his latest victory made SHALAA (IRE) the 12th individual Group 1 winner for the Irish National Stud's Invincible Spirit (IRE). Bred by Mogeely Stud, he is a half-brother to Grade 3-placed hurdler Dai Bando (IRE) out of the Grade 3-placed mare Ghurra. She is a full-sister to the Grade 2-placed Zifzaf and a half-sister to Group 1 Middle Park Stakes winner Hayil, as well as four other Stakes performers.

Two and three parts of a length behind Amazing Maria (IRE) in the Prix Rotchschild at this track three weeks ago, ODELIZ (IRE) gained deserved Group 1 honours in the Prix Jean Romanet, courtesy of an excellent ride by Adrie de Vries. Leading the field, the five-year-old mare created a steady pace before quickening on the home turn to be pursued by Bawina (IRE). ODELIZ (IRE) battled bravely to win by a neck, with Prix de Diane heroine Avenir Certain another ¾ length back in third. Trained by Karl Burke for Barbara Keller, the mare was bred by Aleyrion Bloodstock and is a half-sister to three winners from three runners. The dam is a half-sister to the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks winner Amorama and two Listed winners, out of a full-sister to the seven-time Grade 1 winner Triptych.

ALEX MY BOY (IRE) completed an Irish-bred clean sweep of the Deauville Group contests with his win in the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay over a mile and seven furlongs. Seemingly struggling at the back of the six runner field, Olivier Peslier gave his mount reminders after halfway and he began to make progress over two furlongs out, running on in the final furlong to deny Mark Johnston's Queen Alexandra Stakes winner Oriental Fox by two and a half lengths. The Andreas Wohler-trained four-year-old entire is now a five-time winner, including at Group 3 level last time out. ALEX MY BOY (IRE) was bred to be talented, being out of the Epsom, Irish and Yorkshire Oaks winner Alexandrova (IRE). Trained by Aidan O'Brien, the Sadler's Wells mare was also placed in the Prix de l'Opera and Fillies Mile, and she is a full-sister to Epsom Derby third Masterofthehorse (IRE). Their siblings include Cheveley Park Stakes winner Magical Romance (IRE) and the Group-placed Washington Irving (IRE).