Chilean too hot for rivals as Meade gets off to a flyer following Manton move

Martyn Meade's new chapter at the historic Manton training estate got off to the best possible start when Chilean struck in the Prix La Force at Longchamp, which reopened on Sunday after a €140 million redevelopment.

The son of Iffraaj, who was a Listed-winning juvenile before finishing sixth behind Saxon Warrior in the Racing Post Trophy, was ridden by Oisin Murphy and stuck on well to deny the favourite Study Of Man, with Stable Genius third.

Chilean and Oisin Murphy forge clear in the Prix La Force, ahead of My Pleasure and runner-up Study Of Man (number 6)Credit: Edward Whitaker

Based in Newmarket over the winter, Chilean moved to Manton along with the rest of Meade's string recently and was the trainer's first runner from the Wiltshire stable.

"It's a nice statistic," Meade said of the 100 per cent strike-rate since his relocation.

"I don't think he was at his best in the Racing Post Trophy. I think he was at his best at Haydock when he won that Listed race and he just wasn't quite himself at Doncaster, although he was beaten only six lengths. I think he was better today.

"On his pedigree he should get further, which would be exciting and we've now got options."

Those options include the Betfred Dante Stakes and Prix du Jockey Club, connections indicated.

If Meade decides on the French Classic he could again face Study Of Man, who finished off strongly in this Group 3 having taken a while to find his stride in the heavy ground.

"It was a good comeback and he's been beaten by a good horse who ran in good races last year and is undoubtedly more race-hardened than him," said Study Of Man's trainer Pascal Bary.

"He handled being among horses well, accelerated and then Stephane [Pasquier] didn't knock him about."

Alan Cooper, racing manager to owners the Niarchos family, added: "We'll look forward to seeing him on better ground and the idea, if all goes well, is that he could be a horse for the Jockey Club. We'll have to space out his next run and see where Stephane and Pascal want to go."

Moving house – with a difference: Meade team relocate to Manton

Flying Soumillon steers Pilot to victory

The Ralph Beckett-trained Air Pilot followed up his recent Group 3 victory at Saint-Cloud by giving Britain back-to-back Group-race wins when landing the Prix d'Harcourt under jockey-of-the-moment Christophe Soumillon.

Flying high after a brilliant ride on Thunder Snow in the Dubai World Cup eight days earlier, Soumillon was taking his record on the nine-year-old to three wins from three rides as the pair came clear of Royal Julius.

Air Pilot and Christophe Soumillon win the Prix D'Harcourt for Ralph BeckettCredit: Edward Whitaker

A homebred of Lady Cobham's, Air Pilot was winning his first Group 2.

"Air Pilot loves France and I do too," said his owner-breeder. "We were deciding between here and Ireland today and we decided to come here so it worked out.

"He's still young at nine because he had an injury at three, when he was trained here by Rupert Pritchard-Gordon. He stood in my paddock for two years waiting for his legs to get better and then went into training with Ralph Beckett at five. He's had very little racing really."

Perfect Pattern debut for Barkaa

Barkaa, a Listed winner on the all-weather in February, stepped up on that effort to make a winning debut in Group company in the Prix Vanteaux.

Trained by Fabrice Vermeulen and ridden by Cristian Demuro, the daughter of Siyouni picked up in style in the Group 3 contest and drew away from Soustraction and Princesschope.

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