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) in the world, and the fifth best three-year-old. On 23 April 2011 Dick Turpin was dropped back from Group 1 class for the first time in over a year when he started 8/13 favourite for the Group 2 bet365 Mile at Sandown Park. His four opponents were Cityscape (Joel Stakes), Music Show, Dream Eater (City of York Stakes) and Higland Knight. With Hughes in the saddle he raced in third before accelerating into the lead approaching the final furlong and winning by two and a quarter lengths from Cityscape. Hannon commented "He's a very good horse and we have left