Gosden and Havlin Lord it again as North takes step up in his stride

Another day, another hugely encouraging victory in the north for Robert Havlin and John Gosden.

On Saturday Palace Pier showed a scintillating burst of speed in landing a handicap at Newcastle, signalling that he has a likely big future in stakes races.

A day later Lord North showed exactly how to bridge that gap in the Group 3 Betway Brigadier Gerard Stakes and did it in style.

Last year's Cambridgeshire winner, who went on to score in Listed company later in the autumn, was taking on three rivals who had previously landed Group races, including Juddmonte International third Elarqam.

Yet he never looked out of place, moving well from the off and battling strongly to hold the favourite off by a short head.

Thady Gosden (left) and jockey Robert Havlin were thrilled with Lord NorthCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

And Havlin believes there is better still to come, saying: "He blew up with me half a furlong out, having travelled really well. He's a big horse, hard to get fit. We've been doing as much as we can with him."

At the back end of last year he was taking a real upward curve and it looks as if he's still on that curve."

Gosden's son Thady was just as encouraged by the first-time-out victory and said: "It was obviously a very strong field, the second is rated 120, so it's proper Group form.

"And our horse will definitely come on for fitness, he needed it. He's progressing and I hope he'll continue in that direction."

The winner is quoted at 10-1 for the Prince of Wales's Stakes (from 20-1) by Betfair but Gosden said: "We'll see how he comes out of the race and he likes a bit of juice in the ground so we'll see what happens."

Lord North is unlikely to step up in trip – "His best form is over a mile one, a mile and a quarter and he'll probably stick to that" Gosden said – and nor is Palace Pier, despite quotes as short as 11-1 or 12-1 for the Derby.

"I'm not sure where that's come from," Gosden said. "I think he'll be a mile horse."

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