Prix Maurice de Gheest could be next step for Sacred

The daughter of Exceed and Excel was a close fifth behind Naval Crown in Saturday's Group 1 contest, running on well to be fourth of 15 in her group.

Having finished seventh in last season's 1,000 Guineas (1m), she dropped back successfully to 7f in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury later in the season, beating the boys in the process.

She wasn't seen back out on the racecourse until last weekend's Berkshire contest, which saw her go off at 15/2 over the stiff 6f trip. That was a very strong race and her effort was commendable.

Her next assignment depends largely on having the right ground conditions. She has so far won on good and good to firm going and owner Cheveley Park's managing director Chris Richardson thinks the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville, a Group 1 run over six and a half furlongs, could be her next port of call.

He said: "It was a fantastic run - we got the ground. It was unusual to have so many runners in the race, which obviously added a different aspect to the way the race unravelled.

"We were delighted with how she ran. I think seven furlongs is probably her optimum trip, but I'm still hopeful that we might get a mile in due course.

"She was once again doing her best running towards the end and where she goes is going to be ground dependent, but you would be looking at the Prix Maurice de Gheest.

"She's a Group 2 winner, so we'll be looking at the Group 1 races over seven furlongs and mile and see how things unravel and what the ground's like."