Moonlight Cloud could face Black Caviar at Royal Ascot later this month
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)Impressive Moonlight Cloud shines on return
Report: France, Saturday
Longchamp: Prix du Palais-Royal (Group 3) 7f, 3yo+
MOONLIGHT CLOUD (Freddy Head/Olivier Peslier) defied a Group 1 penalty and a seven-month absence when cruising to a two-length defeat of So Long Malpic.
Jarnet had last season's Prix Maurice de Gheest winner settled beautifully on the outside of runners on Longchamp's sharp 7f track, nicknamed the "Toboggan."
As early leader Firebeam faded under Christophe Soumillon, Moonlight Cloud surged into the lead halfway up the straight to win readily.
"She has a lot of class," said a smiling Head. "Her race is the Maurice de Gheest at Deauville in August, she won it last year and that will be her main objective once again."
Before that the daughter of Invincible Spirit could head to Royal Ascot to face Black Caviar.
"She's in the Diamond Jubilee, so we'll see. It would be great to take on Black Caviar."
Nova Hawk ran a fine race in fifth having been forced to sit and suffer from a wide draw.
Trainer Rod Collet will now decide between the Windsor Forest Stakes at Ascot and Hamburg's Group 3 Stutenmeile.
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