William Haggas’ Merchant overcame gruelling conditions to get up late in the Group 3 HKJC World Pool Gordon Stakes.

At a gloomy and rain-soaked Goodwood, the Haggas-trained three-year-old was sent off a strong 6/5 favourite to take the step up to group level in his stride following an impressive victory in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot.

However, success didn't always look likely for the progressive son of Teofilo, who had to make up plenty of ground having been held up at the rear of the field after lightning caused the race to be run under a flag start.

After striking for home two furlongs out, the James Owen-trained colt Wimbledon Hawkeye continued to keep up the gallop down towards the near side rail and looked as though he would take some pegging back.

But much to the relief of those who had sided with the market leader, Merchant gradually began to eat into the lead and under an all-action Tom Marquand drive, he eventually wore down Wimbledon Hawkeye late on to prevail by a nose.

"Tom said he didn't enjoy the ground, but he kept going and that's what I like about him the most," said Haggas.

"His temperament is brilliant; he doesn't give a monkey about anything. That is one of his great attributes for the future.

"They all had to cope with the conditions; it was going to be messy whatever happened with the flag start. He's only won a nose and James' horse ran a fabulous race."

On what the future may hold, Haggas may look to York for the Great Voltigeur Stakes as an immediate option, while both the St Leger Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe could come under discussion later in the season.

"He really dug in well; he's a very good horse. Desert Hero won this race and then ran in the St Leger, and I don't think he was ever quite the same afterwards.

"I'm worried about stretching this horse out to a mile and six too soon, I think he is really a horse for next year, too. We think he's very good.

"However, if he didn't like the ground there then he may not like the ground in France in autumn. I'm not saying the Arc is definitely not going to happen, but it's not definitely not going to happen either."

The striking three-year-old carries the colours of Highclere Racing, whose representative Harry Herbert added: "He has the most fantastic action, so that could not have been easy for him. It is a great thrill to win a Gordon Stakes.

"He is very special. Dare I say it, but he is the best we have had since Harbinger. I am not comparing him to Harbinger but he is a very good colt.

"That was a hard race. We will see if he still runs at York but that would be the preferred plan to go to the Great Voltigeur Stakes.

"The trainer is not that keen on the St Leger. I don't think he would like to send him a mile and six, so if he happened to win the Voltigeur, we might be dreaming of an Arc.''