British horses fill minor places behind Zagora

Report: France, Saturday

Deauville: Prix de Psyche (Group 3) 1m2f, 3yo fillies

BRITISH-trained runners Bikini Babe and Rumoush finished second and third behind the even-money favourite Zagora (Jean-Claude Rouget/Ioritz Mendizabal) in the Cabourg.

The winner, who was fifth in the Prix de Diane, survived a stewards' inquiry after being extricated from behind a wall of horses to score by a half-length, with Oaks fourth Rumoush three-quarters of a length behind Bikini Babe.

"We should have won by five lengths," said winning jockey Ioritz Mendizabal.

Coming into the straight, Mendizabal had nowhere to go until a gap opened up just over a furlong out just after and she sprinted clear - giving Pearl Away a hefty bump in the process.

Ioritz Mendizabal: clever ride

  PICTURE: Getty Images  

Mendizabal added: "I was never really worried because she has so much speed but we didn't have any run until 200 metres out. Finally we won with plenty in hand and today I had to rely on her brilliant acceleration."

Bikini Babe finished well but never looked like catching Zagora once she slipped into top gear, while Richard Hills was always well up on Rumoush and they held a fractional lead halfway up the straight before staying on at one pace.

Rumoush's trainer Marcus Tregoning said: "She is a real galloper and wants a longer distance but we were a little disappointed today.

"I don't want to make any plans until I see how the filly comes out of the race."

Hills added: "We had every chance but she was disappointing. It was an even gallop but she needs the longer trip."

Also on Saturday

Deauville: Prix Six Perfections (Listed) 7f, 2yo fillies

Cheveley Park Stakes entry Helleborine (Criquette Head-Maarek/Stephane Pasquier) looked to have an impossible task early in the straight but Pasquier kept his head and brought the filly with a finely timed late challenge to win the Prix Six Perfections.

Criquette Head-Maarek: "no plans"

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker  

She mowed down the field from one out and eventually went on to win by two and a half lengths from Zabeel Park, who was always well up with the pace. Fanny May finished fourth.

Head-Maarek said: "I was never really worried as I know the filly well. There are no plans for the moment."

Helleborine is one of four fillies entered by Head-Maarek in the Cheveley Park, which the trainer won last year with Special Duty. "She is fine now but won't be running at Deauville and we shall make further plansin September," reported Head-Maarek.