Beat The Bank continued his rapid rise through the ranks with a dominant display in the Shadwell Joel Stakes at Newmarket.

Formerly trained in Ireland by Darren Bunyan, the three-year-old made his first start for Andrew Balding when landing a conditions race at this venue back in May.

He disappointed in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, but has since won a Listed prize on the July Course and a Group Three at Goodwood, and was the 11-8 market leader to continue his winning spree in this one-mile Group Two.

Whitecliffsofdover took the field along, but he was running on empty two furlongs down and Beat The Bank soon took over and asserted.

The slightly wayward Sir John Lavery went in pursuit, but Balding's charge was away and gone and passed the post with five lengths in hand under Oisin Murphy.

Sir John Lavery was a clear second ahead of Jallota in third. South African challenger Whisky Baron was well beaten.

Murphy said: "He's very talented, Josh Bryan rides him at home, one of Andrew's apprentices, and he's done a top job with him. Sandeep (Gauravaram) who used to look after Frankel, has him, and while he's not another Frankel he's a very good horse.

"This horse is very lightly raced, he was tuned for today.

"I followed the Ballydoyle pacemaker and it happened a bit too easy, which meant he had a look around in front, but he was entitled to.

"He's gone through the ranks and it has been very good placing by Andrew, I hope he's up to the QEII."

Balding said: "He was very impressive, he did it very nicely but I'd have been disappointed if he got beaten as he's been working like a very good horse.

"But you get later in the year and you start worrying they are over the top. But it was a good performance.

"He looks just the ticket to be a top miler next year. I'm not sure about the QEII yet as we've very much got next year in mind. If he did run again that would be the only option, but I'll talk to the owners.

"I haven't had many proper horses, but he could be one. He's very exciting.

"I thought he was very impressive at Goodwood as well, but you can only beat what you are up against and he did it in good style.

"We're lucky to have him. I think Oisin is adamant he's better on better ground as he said he didn't quite get the feel he did in the Craven meeting.

"He had a dirty scope after Ascot and he ran very flat that day, hopefully we've put a line through that. I think the owner is keen to go to Hong Kong at some stage at the end of next year as I think this year it will be too soon."

BHB