COUGAR MOUNTAIN can spring a minor surprise and claim Group One glory in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes, the highlight of the third day of the Ebor meeting at York.

The three-year-old made quite an impression on jockey Joseph O'Brien when winning his maiden at Naas by five lengths in June, with the Ballydoyle rider immediately proclaiming him a potential Group One winner.

His assertion would surely have raised a few eyebrows but his trainer-father, Aidan, duly set his sights at the highest level, pitching Cougar Mountain into the July Cup at Newmarket.

Sent off a 16-1 chance, the Fastnet Rock colt posted an excellent performance in finishing a three-length fifth behind top dog Slade Power and three more experienced rivals on ground that was probably softer than ideal.

His maiden win came on quick ground so clearly he can handle a range of conditions - a factor which could become crucial with a mixed forecast for the rest of the week on the Knavesmire.

The step back to the minimum trip is something of a question mark, but O'Brien jnr insists he can be effective anywhere between five furlongs and a mile and with slight question marks over the likes of favourite Sole Power, Cougar Mountain could have the chance to step into the spotlight.

Cavalryman has certainly recaptured his old sparkle this term and he can back up his recent Goodwood Cup win with victory in the Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Lonsdale Cup.

The eight-year-old has been largely consistent throughout the last few seasons, without coming anywhere near the heights that saw him win a Group One back in 2009 when trained by Andre Fabre.

However, Cavalryman has been revitalised by Saeed bin Suroor in 2014, with two excellent runs in Dubai supplemented by a hard-fought victory in the Princess of Wales's Stakes at Newmarket last month.

He then beat fellow Godolphin runner Ahzeemah by a neck at Goodwood at the end of July.