Bateel team eye big autumn prizes after impressive comeback success

Prix Corrida | Group 2 |4yo+| fillies & mares | 1m2½f

Bateel paid an instant dividend on her owners' decision to keep her in training at five, defying a 212-day break and a Group 1 penalty to brush aside her seven rivals under a confident Pierre-Charles Boudot.

This race was been won by Treve and Solemia in recent seasons, both of whom went on to Arc glory in the same season.

Trainer Francis Graffard skipped a clash with Enable at Chantilly last year after landing the Vermeille, but Europe's richest race could be on the agenda according to Johnnie Peter-Hoblyn, racing and bloodstock manager for owners Al Asayl.

"Pierre-Charles says she's done it easily and when he asked her she's quickened and was never in trouble," said Peter-Hoblyn. "We've got the rest of the season and really she's an autumn filly.

"We'll go much the same route as last year with a race like the Pomone and then we'll look at the Arc," he said. "The Vermeille is there but she needs time between her races, so it needs planning carefully. That's why Francis is paid the big bucks!"

Prix Cleopatre | Group 3 |3yo fillies | 1m2½f

Olivier Peslier continued his phenomenal recent run of Group-race success as Castellar held off the late charge of odds-on favourite Luminate, putting herself forward as a serious candidate for the Prix de Diane Longines on June 17.

It could be the start of a big week for trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias and Castellar's Spanish owners, who will be represented by Recoletos in next Sunday's Churchill Coolmore Prix d'Ispahan.

Carlos Laffon-Parias said: "I was very disappointed she didn't win last time, but Olivier suggested stepping her up in trip and ultimately it's worked out well.

"If she'd won last time she'd probably have run in the Poule d'Essai. He saw straightaway she needed further and now it's on to the Diane."

The large travelling group of Highclere supporters suffered disappointment as Luminate – who was ridden by Peslier in the injury-enforced absence of Aurelien Lemaitre when winning the Prix Penelope on her previous start – became trapped on the rail.

Lemaitre attempted to force a passage and, although he got to within three-quarters of a length of the winner on the line, was judged guilty of dangerous riding and demoted to fifth.

"It was a bit like last time in that she got a little tapped for toe initially," said Freddy Head. "In principle, the Diane remains the aim."

For the latest global racing stories, click here