Beckford© Photo Healy Racing
Beckford is likely to head for the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on September 30 following his fine second in the National Stakes at the Curragh.
Gordon Elliott's charge was sent off the 6-4 favourite for Sunday's seven-furlong contest but proved no match for impressive winner Verbal Dexterity, a horse he had beaten two starts earlier at the Curragh.
The son of Bated Breath now looks set for a return to six furlongs on the Rowley Mile as the Cullentra House handler continues his quest for a first Group One Flat winner.
Elliott told Press Association Sport: "I'd say he just got outstayed on that ground but we were very happy with him.
"It was a good run and I'd say we'd probably go for the Middle Park now."
