Claude Duval legend, including claims of alchemy, gambling, and much womanising. He is reported to haunt the Holt Hotel along the A4260 (Oxford Road) in Oxfordshire, a hotel where he spent many nights when it was a small coaching inn. Recent historians have reappraised the legacy of Duval. James Sharpe in "Dick Turpin" regarded Duval as the most significant figure in the shaping of the highwayman myth. John and Philip Sugden's "The Thief of Hearts" reconstructs what is known of the historical Duval, using much fresh evidence, and shows that the traditions about the Frenchman were used by such literary luminaries as
Dick Turpin (horse) a bit behind as this was just a stepping stone really" before pointing out the scheduling problems of handling both Dick Turpin and Canford Cliffs saying "I'm lucky to have two of the best milers around and I'd love to keep them separate". Despite Hannon's hopes Dick Turpin was matched against Canford Cliffs in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on 11 May and came home fourth behind his stablemate after being hampered approaching the final furlong. Eleven days later he ran poorly in the Prix d'Ispahan and finished last of the nine runners behind Goldikova. Dick Turpin was dropped back