A delighted Henry Cecil was refusing to get carried away despite the impressive manner of Royal Anthem's victory in the £269,231 Grade One Canadian International (12f) at Woodbine, Toronto, on Sunday.

Unraced since his King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes in July, the British charge put himself into the Breeders' Cup Turf reckoning by making all to defeat the 1997 winner, Chief Bearhart, by two lengths.

Cecil said: "I wanted him to make him a group one winner as a three-year-old, although he is still a big, big baby who is still improving. He had a great shot at this race and it worked out well. We could go to the Breeders' Cup but we won't rush things. We'll see how he is. "

Royal Anthem was the 7 to 4 second favourite behind Chief Bearhart, who will defend his title in the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs on November 7th. John Hills's 34 to 1 shot Crimson Tide finished seventh of eight. Gary Stevens completed a big race double on the Luca Cumani filly, Zomaradah, in the £116,923 Grade Two E P Taylor Stakes (10f).