PASTORAL PURSUITS proved he was no country bumpkin when sweeping to success in the July Cup at Newmarket yesterday. Hughie Morrison's 22-1 shot, ridden by John Egan,beat a pair of40-1chances to land the Group One sprint.

He nailed Avonbridge in the final half-furlong to win by one-and-a-half-lengths with Etlaala in third and 4-1 joint-favourite Soldier's Tale staying on to be fourth.

The victory gave the trainer and jockey their first success at the top level in Britain and was Morrison's first winner for 27 days.

Steve Drowne set sail for home on Avonbridge three furlongs out and was two lengths ahead of Pastoral Pursuits with a quarter of a mile to run.

But Morrison's runner came to tackle him and went past to score with plenty of authority.

Jockey John Egan said: 'I knew two and a half down that he was going to win.

'I can't believe he travelled so well in a Group 1, it was amazing A delighted Morrison said: 'We always thought he was a bloody good horse andhe proved it today.

'He didn't have a hard race at York in the Queen Anne, he slipped on the ground and just never found his footing, but it's a credit to the horse that he could come back to run here.'

Aidan O'Brien made another successful raid on the July meeting with his academy of juvenile talent as Horatio Nelson made all to take the Weatherbys Superlative Stakes.

The winner is now12-1favourite from 33-1 for the 2000 Guineas with VC Bet, with stablemates Ivan Denisovich and George Washington next in the betting at 16-1. Ladbrokes make Horatio Nelson a 16-1 shot from 33s

However, vibes from connections suggested that the Vodafone Derby, rather than the Guineas, might be a more likely target for the colt.

Totesport cut his Derby odds from 33-1 to 25's while Paddy Power make him their new20-1 favourite for the blue riband.

Meanwhile, La Cucaracha (3.40), who missed the cut for the Darley July Cup, should gain ample compensation in the Cuisine De France Summer Stakes at York today.

Barry Hills' charge was a reserve for yesterday's Group One sprint but did not get a run as none of her rivals pulled out.

That could prove a blessing in disguise for the Hills' camp as La Cucaracha will take all the beating today in what appears an easier task