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The John and Thady Gosden-trained Gregory remains on course for the Group 1 St Leger at Doncaster, despite a defeat in the Great Voltigeur Stakes.

The three-year-old started favourite for the Group 2 York event but struggled to maintain the fast pace set in the early stages. Although the Golden Horn colt began to fade with two furlongs to run, he found more in the final half furlong and kept on to finish third behind Continuous.

A return to 1m6f is expected to suit Gregory, having won the Group 2 Queen's Vase over the same distance at Royal Ascot on his third racecourse start.

"We said after Ascot that his main target would be the Leger and that this [Great Voltigeur] was the obvious race to take en route," said Richard Brown, racing advisor to owners Wathnan Racing.

"We'd love to have won it, but they went pretty hard up front – those early fractions were pretty fierce. We were initially disappointed, but then you see where the two horses that went with him finished and where he finished.

"Frankie looked after him when his winning chance had gone and actually when he stood up on him, the horse ran on again on his own.

"Back up to a mile and six [furlongs] in the Leger is going to be much more his game. I've been in racing long enough not to be overly optimistic as things go wrong and maybe he's not good enough, but I think he's going to go there with a big chance.

"He's come out of the race in great shape, John and Thady are very happy with him, it's all systems go and we're looking forward to it.

"It looks like it could be a very good renewal and with the Royal runner as well, it's exciting for racing."

Gregory remains well-supported at the head of the market for the St Leger on 16 September, available at 7/2.