Clement and Pasquier avoid hold-ups with positive tactics on Traffic Jam

Prix du Conseil de Paris (Group 2)3yo+ | 1m4f | Turf

Traffic Jam returned to her best behaviour to defeat Akihiro and One Foot In Heaven under a fine front-running ride from Stephane Pasquier in a race which can often act as a good pointer for future top-level success over middle distances.

Traffic Jam was withdrawn from the Prix de Royallieu on Arc weekend after giving trouble behind the stalls and, while she took her time once again before consenting to being loaded, she made up for that blot on her record in fine style.

"She was a bit unruly again behind the stalls but Stephane was patient with her," said Clement, who praised the way Pasquier dictated a sedate early part of the race before winding it up from the home turn.

"He let her stride on in front and she has done it well. I haven’t seen the split times but she's a filly you can launch from some way out because she stays well and has already won over 3,000 metres [1m7f]."

Akihiro one for next year

Andre Fabre and owners the Wertheimer brothers had entertained Classic hopes for Akihiro after an unbeaten two-year-old season but, having been beaten in two trials, the son of Deep Impact was given a long rest before regaining the winning thread at Listed level last month.

"He made a very good comeback the other day at Saint-Cloud and he has run well again today," said racing manager Pierre-Yves Bureau.

"He has been beaten by a tough, talented filly and he'll make a good four-year-old next year."

Last year's winner One Foot In Heaven was reappearing a fortnight after having received two cracks across the face during the closing stages of the Arc and never quite looked like getting on terms with the front two when the sprint developed.

Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre said: "It's difficult to say but that was very strong opposition. The form of the fillies from the Vermeille and the Royallieu is good and the Deep Impact colt Akihiro is only young and looks interesting for the future.

"My horse finished only a length and a half down at the line and I wouldn't be so sure that he ran all that badly."

Crystal River impresses for Haggas

Prix Casimir Delamarre (Listed) 3yo+ | fillies and mares | 1m1f Turf

William Haggas was briefly delayed in seeing just what Crystal River was capable of when he was forced to scratch her from the Listed Prix Charles Laffitte the day after the Arc.

But the Hamilton maiden winner – who made one start for Godolphin late last year but who now carries Haggas' own colours – made up for it in eyecatching style when striding clear of her more experienced rivals in the manner of a good filly.

"She didn’t travel over to Maisons-Laffitte because she had a minor issue at home so we couldn’t send her," said Haggas. "But that was a weaker race and she’s done well today."

Haggas was in no hurry to make plans for the three-year-old daughter of Dubawi, but soft ground is clearly no problem to her and she outclassed her rivals here under Maxime Guyon, finishing an eased-down length and a half ahead of the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained Garance.

"She won her maiden by 13 lengths on terrible ground and that was her first run for us," said Haggas.

"We thought she was worth a step up in grade, which we've done. I don’t know what we’ll do with her. At the moment I own her – I don’t know how long that will remain the case – and all I can say is that today is a good day."

Antarctic back to form for Walker

Prix du Ranelagh (Listed) 3yo+ | 1m | Turf

Stormy Antarctic defied a 5lb penalty in registering a first win of the season under a no-nonsense ride from Christophe Soumillon.

A decent runner to Zelzal up at Group 1 level here last season, Stormy Atlantic was unable to get involved in the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood when last seen and has since been gelded.

"This was a must-win moment and he couldn’t have done it much better," said Walker.

"He's a horse I've always had the utmost belief in and ever since the Craven last year, nothing much has gone right for him."

He added: "I have no idea where we go, I just needed to see him do what he did. Hopefully we can start climbing back up the ladder from here."

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