Cumani gets postponed reward as God Given strikes in Minerve

Luca Cumani landed the chief supporting race at Deauville on Sunday, the Group 3 Prix Minerve, when the progressive God Given benefited from a fine front-running ride from Jamie Spencer.

The success was especially sweet for Cumani, who trained God Given's half-brother Postponed before owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid decided on a change of scene when sending him and the rest of his Bedford House-based string across Newmarket to Roger Varian.

Cumani said: "I'm so grateful to the owner [Andrew Stone of St Albans Bloodstock], who sent her to me when Postponed was taken away from me.

"They'd never had a horse with me before but sent me her to look after me, and I'm very pleased we could do it for them."

God Given has progressed from maiden scorer to Group 3 winner in her last three starts, and it will be first-class travel from now on.

"The plan has always been the Fillies and Mares at Ascot," said Cumani. "In theory she'll get a nice bit of soft ground there, which she enjoys. What we do in between we’ll see, but the Vermeille is a possibility."

Spencer was completing a double after scoring on the Charlie Appleby-trained Mythical Magic in the Listed Prix Francois Boutin, the result of a Godolphin redeployment which sent James Doyle to Berlin in place of the injured William Buick.

Spencer, following up his landmark 2,000th British Flat winner at Ascot on Saturday, said: "You strive to ride in the good races.

"You wouldn’t be human if you weren’t disappointed not to be getting the rides in them, and you have to make the best of your chances when you get them. Everything's worked out today."

Appleby looks to top juvenile prizes

Charlie Appleby with his Ascot maiden winner Mythical MagicCredit: Edward Whitaker

Mythical Magic quickened in the manner of a smart juvenile and, along with the Andre Fabre-trained Cascadian, pulled well clear of his rivals in what is often an informative race.

"After Ascot Adam [Kirby] said we should be working back from the Dewhurst and I don’t think that's too far out of the equation," said Appleby.

"He's a big imposing colt so we'll give him time and maybe one more run before something like the Dewhurst or Racing Post Trophy."

Hayley Turner's first ride in France with the aid of the 2kg (4.4lb) female jockey's allowance ended with her trailing in among the backmarkers on Wyck Hall in the second division of the 6½f handicap.

Turner plans more French excursions

Turner recently announced her intention to ride in France over the winter, once her commitments with ITV are completed for the Flat season, but in the meantime will take opportunities as and when they occur in order to build up her French contacts through agent Herve Naggar.

"I don’t have any expectations and am just going to go with the flow," said Turner. "Hopefully if Herve can sort me out a few good rides I hope to be here a bit more before the winter."