Stoute to consider stepping up in trip with Prince of Wales's second Bay Bridge

A step up to a mile and a half will be considered for Bay Bridge after his career-best second to State Of Rest in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

The Brigadier Gerard winner, owned by James Wigan and Ballylinch Stud, was 10-11 favourite after his impressive Sandown success and was beaten a length on his first crack at top-level company.

Bay Bridge is entered in the Coral-Eclipse back at the Esher track on July 2 and the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp three months later, with trainer Sir Michael Stoute to contemplate stepping the colt up in trip.

Stoute said: “The race didn't pan out brilliantly for Bay Bridge but he ran a very big race and we were absolutely delighted with him. We didn't know about him on this quicker ground but it didn't inconvenience him.

“He has plenty of options and we need to think about whether we stick with a mile and a quarter or go up to a mile and a half, but we won't make a decision for a little while."

State Of Rest: scored by a length in the Prince of Wales's StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Japanese Derby and Sheema Classic winner Shahryar could finish only fourth in the 1m2f contest with jockey Cristian Demuro feeling the star colt missed the acceleration shown in Meydan in March.

Demuro said: “Shahryar was disappointing; he wasn’t the same horse as in Dubai. The trainer said to me he is still a little weak behind and it could be the rises and falls of the track didn’t suit him.

“I had a good trip but when I went to press the accelerator, there was nothing like the response I got in the Sheema Classic. It’s a shame.”

Last year’s Prix Jean Romanet winner Grand Glory, trained by France-based Gianluca Bietolini, was a little outpaced before keeping on to take third, beaten just over three lengths.

Jockey Mickael Barzalona said: “She ran really well. It was a shame there was no pace in the race but it was a very good performance nonetheless.”

Read this next . . .

'This is an absolute dream' – State Of Rest downs Bay Bridge for ecstatic Crosse

Sign up here. New customers only. First single & each-way bet only. 5p minimum stake. 3 x £10 bet tokens. Free bet stakes not included in returns. Free bets exclude virtuals. Free bets are non-withdrawable. No free bet expiry. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply. 18+. begambleaware.org.