Postponed took his winning run to six as he returned from a 74-day absence with a solid display in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York.

The Roger Varian-trained five-year-old dispelled doubts the trip of an extended mile and a quarter might be too short as he defeated a high-class field.

After his pacemaking stablemate King Bolete had made the running, Postponed (15-8 favourite) was given the office by Andrea Atzeni three furlongs from home and he stuck to his task well, despite drifting towards the stands side rail.

King George winner Highland Reel (6-1) was beaten a length and a quarter in second place, with Mutakayyef (15-2), who was slightly short of room in the closing stages, another length away in third.

Atzeni said: “He’s great, isn’t he?

“A lot of people had doubts about him — I never had.

“He’s got too much class. I think people underrate him.

“I think he’s one of the best in the business we’ve seen for a while.”

Earlier Aidan O'Brien's Idaho enhanced his claims for the Ladbrokes St Leger with a cosy victory in the Betway Great Voltigeur Stakes.

Placed in both the English and Irish Derby, the O’Brien-trained colt showed he had stamina and class as he opened his account for the campaign in this Group Two contest.

Stablemate Housesofparliament made the running and proved hard to pass, but Idaho (5-6 favourite) responded to Seamie Heffernan's urgings and got up in the final 100 yards to score by a length and three-quarters.

Across The Stars, winner of the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, was third.

Heffernan said: “He had solid form. We expected him to take all the beating.”

O’Brien added: “We’re very happy with him. He travelled really well.”