Willie Mullins' Vauban looks set for another trip down under after fending off the late challenge of Al Nayyir in the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup at York on Friday.

A winner of the 2022 Triumph Hurdle, the classy Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old reverted to the level to land the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot prior to landing the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes at Naas.

He subsequently disappointed when sent off favourite for the Melbourne Cup at Flemington last year but looks set for a return for the race that stops a nation following his narrow victory in the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup Stakes at York.

The son of Galiway travelled strongly in midfield for much of the two-mile contest and soon quickened up smartly to grab the initiative under William Buick. Point Lonsdale and Gregory both weakened out of contention, while Vauban looked home and hosed at 11/2. However, Al Nayyir finished with a rattle to make tensions high, closing the gap to within a short-head crossing the line.

Paddy Power cut the winner to 10/1 from 14's to win the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 5.

"The ticket for Australia is not quite booked, but it has been our intention all season and we said we'd work back from the Melbourne Cup," explained the winning owner, Rich Ricci.

"I don't know what Willie wants to do next, he's got an entry in the Irish St Leger, but Melbourne still remains the plan, we'll see what the handicapper does.

"He was very good today, he was ready to rock, he looked a picture and showed a great turn of foot.

"William thought he probably got there a little too soon, but he also said he was idling a bit in front.

"I wanted to see him run through the line today because I've had my niggles about the trip and he got it – just! That's brilliant.

"Willie called me before the race and that does not happen very often unless there is something wrong. He said we had no excuse today and thought he'd go very close.

"His first run this year here (at York) was great, he ran a huge race in the Gold Cup, but he just didn't stay and then at the Curragh it probably came a bit soon.

"We learned a lot from Australia last year; we did things differently than in the past, we'd always gone in the second shipment and run later than he did. I just said to the team, 'let's start with Melbourne, let him tell us he's not able to go and work back from that'.

"His two targets were the Gold Cup and today and I guess he'll go in the second shipment again."

On the runner-up, Tom Clover said: "He's a new horse for us, but he shaped up well in his homework and we were looking forward to running him.

"We couldn't quite believe the price he was; he has some very good form and he's got a very high rating.

"He has (run to his mark), he had one blip perhaps last time out, but his run in Dubai was very, very good. He's a very good horse by a very good sire and hopefully he can go one better very soon.

"Not too sure (what next), we have him in a couple of places; one in France and obviously one on Champions Day, so we will have to discuss with the owners.

"He was very resolute, he saw the race out very strong and hopefully he's a horse we can think about travelling with in the winter. It would be lovely if he can get his head in front in Group company first."