Golden Lilac (8) powers past favourite Cirrus Des Aigles in Prix d'Ispahan
PICTURE: ScoopdygaGolden Lilac too good for Cirrus in Prix d'Ispahan
Report: France, Sunday
Longchamp: Prix d'Ispahan (Group 1) 1m1¼f, 4yo+
GOLDEN LILAC made a sparkling return to action when she surged past Cirrus Des Aigles inside the final furlong to win convincingly in the hands of Maxime Guyon.
Cirrus Des Aigles, sent off the 4-5 favourite, attempted to kick from the front but could not match the finishing burst of Golden Lilac as she powered to the front inside the last furlong.
Paddy Power rate the winner a 20-1 chance for this year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Golden Lilac, trained by Andre Fabre and a dual Group 1 winner, had not been seen on the track since last August and she was keen in the early stages, disputing the lead with Cirrus Des Aigles.
She settled much better when Guyon dropped her back in behind the leader and she picked up smartly when her rider asked her to close on the favourite.
Cirrus Des Aigles, a top-class gelding with three Group 1 victories under his belt, set sail for home two furlongs out but he was swamped by Golden Lilac as the Marco Botti-trained Planteur also began to make good headway on the outside.
Andre Fabre: trains Golden Lilac
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)But Golden Lilac had too much class and finished three-quarters of a length in front of Cirrus Des Aigles, who lost nothing in defeat.
Planteur, trained by Marco Botti, claimed third, while Middleham Park's Penitent finished last of the eight runners.
"You’d have to say that was probably her best performance on ratings," said Fabre, although he was unsure about future plans.
The traineradded: "It’s complicated. I might supplement her for the Prince of Wales’s Stakes or perhaps wait for the Prix Jacques le Marois. I'll have to think about it."
Corine Barande-Barbe, trainer of the runner-up, said: "1850m [1m1f] on quick ground is a very different challenge and that was more like a 1600m [1m] race.
"Perhaps he would be better over a bit further or on slightly softer ground. But the horse hasn't disappointed me."
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