TITUS was an emphatic winner of the Sky Bet Handicap at York.

Declan Carroll's charge was an 8-1 shot on the back of finishing fourth in last month's John Smith's Cup on the Knavesmire, form that has been well advertised since with runner-up Thundering Blue subsequently winning a Group Two and finishing third in Wednesday's Juddmonte International.

Titus travelled into contention with remarkable ease in the hands Ger O'Neill, with the 5lb claimer sat motionless while his rival jockeys rowed along halfway up the home straight.

The four-year-old could be called the winner a long way out and once given his head, he swiftly put distance between himself and his rivals, passing the post with four lengths in hand.

Mister Belvedere was best of the rest in second ahead of Kelly's Dino and Pacify in third and fourth respectively.

Carroll said: "He's had some good runs in some very good races. He was going up in trip today and has done it very well. We knew he'd improve for going up in trip.

"Ger rode him very well. He's a good kid."

Considering future targets, the trainer added: "There's a handicap at Leopardstown I was looking at, but we'll just see.

"The £1million Ebor next year sounds very good!"