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Gutaifan got favourite-backers off to a flyer on day three of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster with a hard-fought success in the Fly Aer Lingus From Doncaster Sheffield Flying Childers Stakes.

Richard Hannon's youngster completed a hat-trick of victories in the Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte in July, before finding fellow Al Shaqab Racing-owned juvenile Shalaa too strong in last month's Prix Morny at Deauville.

Sent off the 7-4 favourite back at five furlongs on Town Moor, Gutaifan was never too far off the speed and quickened up well in the hands of Frankie Dettori to pass game stable companion Log Out Island.

Ornate finished strongly to make a race of it, but Gutaifan passed the post a head to the good.

Log Out Island was third ahead of Irish raider Bear Cheek in fourth.

Dettori said: "He never wins by very far. He always looks like getting beat, but pulls out a little bit more.

"The ground has tightened up a bit."

Hannon was delighted to see his charge regain winning ways in a course-record time for two-year-olds.

He said: "They went very quick and if you look back through his form, this horse has only ever won races by short distances. He just does enough.

"He's just a really nice, likeable, straightforward two-year-old. He doesn't pull and does anything you ask him to.

"I think he probably wants six furlongs now and next year we'll have to take as we find.

"He bumped into a useful horse last time and was put in his place on soft ground.

"He might go to the Middle Park. We'll speak to the Sheikh (Joaan) and see what he says.

"He's won two Group Twos now. He's an outstanding two-year-old and is probably unfortunate to come up in the same year as Shalaa."

Of Log Out Island, the champion trainer added: " He was the first one off the bridle, which worried me slightly.

"He stuck his neck out today. I don't think you could question his enthusiasm, which we have done on occasions.

"He liked the fast ground and it was a really good run from him."

Maureen Haggas, wife of Ornate's trainer William Haggas, said: "We're fed up of that horse (Gutaifan). He beat us (with Ajaya) in France and he's beaten us again today, both by not far, but he's run a fantastic race.

"He's put the York run behind him. He didn't like the ground that day and was happier on this quicker ground. He's run great.

"I thought we might get him, but Pat (Cosgrave) said the winner was holding him. The winner has had a lot of races and is battle-hardened and tough.

"Ajaya is a pretty useful horse. It's all good solid form.

"He's a horse for next year. He's got plenty of scope. He may have one more run this year."