Richard Hannon, who saddles Voyage in today’s Betfred Derby, began Derby Day perfectly when Persica came home the comfortable winner of the opening Hong Kong Jockey Club Lester Piggott Handicap over 10 furlongs.

The 9-2 chance, who was partnered by Sean Levey, travelled well throughout and made virtually every yard a winning one. He never look in any danger of being overhauled and at the finish the three-year-old New Bay colt had two and a quarter lengths to spare over the 5-2 Favourite Portsmouth.

Richard Hannon said: “[Owner] Martin Hughes likes to give the jockey instructions, and he takes the credit! He was drawn 11; it was always going to be hard from there, and he went very wide at Newbury last time.

“We’ve always thought he was a very good horse and he’s definitely upwardly mobile. He was able to do it his way today, which was a massive advantage. He’s quite lightly raced, but he’s a little bit fragile mentally, and Sean gave him a lovely ride.

“I didn’t think it would suit him here, in terms of the crowd and the proximity to all the people - he’s a little bit inexperienced, but as grows up he will turn into a Group horse, I think.”

Sean Levey said: "I was able to dictate things my own way, and when a horse picks up from the two to the one (furlong marker) like that you need a very good one to pick him up, and that's the way he felt to me going to the line. I was surprised when I felt the horse (Portsmouth) coming up my inside, but to be fair I thought the further he was going the better he was going to be going anyway."

Oisin Murphy, rider of runner-up Portsmouth, said: "Sean Levey rode a very good race. He had it easy in front, and when I was making ground Sean was still filling up."