Battaash led his rivals a merry dance to claim Group One glory in the Prix de l'Abbaye at Chantilly.

The Charlie Hills-trained three-year-old won twice at Sandown and once at Goodwood during the summer, but was only fourth when stepped up to the highest level in the Nunthorpe at York, getting agitated before the start.

However, he burst out of the stalls this time in the hands of Jim Crowley and never looked in serious danger of being caught.

Last year's winner and Nunthorpe heroine Marsha did her best to bridge the gap inside the last of five furlongs, but Battaash was away and gone, being comfortably clear at the line.

Sir Mark Prescott's Marsha held on to the runner-up spot from the Clive Cox-trained Profitable in a British-dominated finish.

BHB