However, the prospects of victory in Europe’s richest two-year-old race for Johnny The Fish looked remote as he was stuck behind a wall of horses at halfway in the six-furlong dash.

But Frankie Dettori is a good man to have on your side in such circumstances and the champion jockey got the breaks and brought the 20-1 shot with a powerful late surge to land the money by a neck from Mr Sandicliffe.

The win gave Meehan his second success in the race following Cape Fear two years ago.

He said: “This was always the right race for Johnny The Fish and we knew he was always going to get a little bit outpaced because he’s a better horse over seven, but Frankie always had plenty of confidence.

“He’s a lovely horse and he’ll go on and I’m sure we’ll step him up in class.”

Dettori added: “Brian said the horse stays well. They went very fast and I dropped him in, but I was in trouble at halfway and I thought I’d do well if I picked up a little money.

“But as the leaders slowed down he got full of life again and then it was a matter of getting the gaps. I got the splits at the right time and then he’s gone and done it.”

Johnny Ferrand, after whom the horse is named, speaking for the owners added: “There are nine of us in the syndicate and we benefited from a very professional trainer and very professional jockey.”

Mr Sandicliffe earned £69,740 (€103,000) for his second place and was occupying the runner-up’s slot for the fifth time in as many starts.

His trainer Barry Hills said: “Mr Sandicliffe will soon find a race. The winner is not bad, he gets seven furlongs and that helped him.”

Third home, just three-quarters of a length off the second, was Bruce Hellier’s German raider Swing The Ring.

“I expected him to run well and if he had got out a bit earlier he would have been closer. He came from last position, but I still thought he was going to win,” Hellier said.

Violette produced a blistering burst of speed to take the European Breeders Fund Carrie Red Fillies’ Nursery.

Mark Prescott’s youngster had it all to do at halfway, but Seb Sanders expertly weaved his way through the pack to hit the front well inside the last of the six furlongs and win going away by a length and a half from Gallery Girl.

“I told Seb to be as brave as possible and he certainly was – you won’t see much better race-riding than that,” said Prescott after greeting the 11-2 winner.

“I told him they’d probably go too fast and the six and half would suit her and for once it worked out.”

And as for plans for Violette, Prescott added: “I ran her in a Group race and I got put in my place. But she has strengthened and improved and I’ll have to have another go.”