MARMELO is on course for a crack at the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after giving East Ilsley trainer Hughie Morrison back-to-back victories at Deauville.

The four-year-old colt made virtually all the running under Christophe Soumillon to beat the David Elsworth-trained Desert Skyline by a length and a quarter in the Group 2 Darley Prix Kergorlay.

Nearly Caught, who landed the prize for Morrison last year, was fourth this time in the mile-and-seven-furlong stamina test.

It was Marmelo’s second success in France this season following his victory at Chantilly in April.

And now he is set to return to the track for a tilt at Europe’s most prestigious middle-distance prize on October 1.

Morrison went on to complete a 9-1 across-the-continent double as Pirouette captured the Listed Grosser SparkassenPreis at Dusseldorf.

Relishing the soft ground, the four-year-old filly made all the running in the hands of Chilton-based jockey Robert Winston to beat Wild Approach by five lengths.

The trainer also enjoyed success with Affair and apprentice jockey Theodore Ladd gaining their second wins together with a smooth success at Bath.

Ladd, who opened his account when the three-year-old filly scored at Lingfield in June, came home three and a half lengths clear of The Secrets Out on the 14-1 shot in a mile-and-six-furlong handicap.

Ejayteekay was another winner for Morrison when getting up close home under Charlie Bennett to pip Lucky Louie and Spirit Of Belle in a finish of heads in a mile handicap at Ffos Las.

Blewbury trainer Eve Johnson Houghton, whose stable star Scarlet Dragon is set for a crack at the Betfred Ebor Handicap at York on Saturday, landed a 21-1 across-the-card double with Killay (4-1) at Salisbury and Becca Campbell (7-2 favourite) at Chepstow.

Having finished second on her previous two starts at the Wiltshire track, Killay made it third time lucky when powering home by three lengths in a seven-furlong maiden stakes, with Charlie Bishop on board.

Becca Campbell may have had fortune on her side when landing a mile-and-a-half handicap by two and a quarter lengths under Edward Greatrex as Tobouggaloo was vying for the lead when William Cox was unseated in the closing stages after his saddle slipped.

Capton got off the mark for Wantage trainer Henry Candy when making all the running in the hands of Fergus Sweeney to record a half-length success over Fast Dancer in a mile-and-a-quarter handicap at Newbury.

And Milton Road recorded his fourth win this season for West ilsley owner-trainer Mick Channon when springing a 16-1 surprise in a five-furlong nursery at Chelmsford City, with Callum Shepherd in the saddle.