Extraordinary Space Blues powers to remarkable Prix de la Foret win
William Buick produced the most confident ride of the day at Longchamp as he brought favourite Space Blues through to land the Prix de la Foret in effortless style.
While the heavy rain that fell on Longchamp dented Adayar's prospects of winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe for Charlie Appleby and William Buick, it was never going to be a concern for Space Blues.
Indeed, Buick rode the Foret like the most content person in Paris, settling towards the rear and still sitting pretty as the field approached the final furlong while his opponents pushed and shoved away.
When Buick asked Space Blues for his effort it was clear to see why he had been so confident, with the five-year-old picking up instantly to surge past Pearls Galore and Japan’s Entscheiden.
The victory of Space Blues was the only one for a favourite in the Group 1s on the Arc card, with him returning 11-4.
Appleby said: "It's been the plan for him for the last three years but unfortunately I've not managed to get him here before. The team have done a great job with him and I felt his work last week was the best I'd seen him do.
"I said to William today you're sat on a horse who's in the form of his life and William rode him with a lot of confidence. Once he asked him to win his race he put it to bed quite smoothly."
Peter Scargill
Prix de l'Abbaye goes to Ireland as A Case Of You lunges late to score
A Case Of You gave trainer Ado McGuinness a first Group 1 victory with a relentless charge to catch Air De Valse in the final strides of the Prix de l'Abbaye.
The three-year-old looked to have a mountain to climb after bravely threading his way between Glass Slippers and Mo Celita to emerge as the one remaining challenger to Air De Valse.
The leader had kicked clear from Nunthorpe winner Winter Power inside the final furlong and a half, and looked set to provide Corine Barande-Barbe, the trainer of brilliant globetrotter Cirrus Des Aigles, with another moment in the spotlight as the race neared its finish.
But A Case Of You was responding generously to jockey Ronan Whelan having broken clear from the rest of the weakening field and just as the post loomed, forced A Case Of You’s head down to get the verdict by a short head.
A Case Of You's victory was a first for Ireland in the Abbaye since Maarek's success in 2013.
Running in the colours of Gary Devlin, A Case Of You joined McGuinness this year having been purchased privately from previous connections by Phoenix Thoroughbreds.
Peter Scargill
Rougir pips Frankie Dettori and Grand Glory in Prix de l'Opera
Rougir only just denied Frankie Dettori and Grand Glory in a photo finish to claim a first Group 1 in the Prix de l'Opera Longines at Longchamp.
The pair crossed the line almost in tandem and after a lengthy examination, the Cedric Rossi-trained Rougir was called the winner for jockey Maxime Guyon.
The favourite Audarya had looked the likely winner at one stage as she cruised into contention under a motionless Ioritz Mendizibal for Newmarket trainer James Fanshawe but could not live with the faster-finishing duo and faded to finish fourth.
Rougir had run well in a series of France's top fillies' contests during the summer having finished close up in the Prix de Diane and Prix Rothschild, and she flourished in the testing conditions to finally make the breakthrough at the highest level.
Grand Glory confirmed the promise of her breakthrough victory in the Prix Jean Romanet in August and had looked set to hand Dettori a second victory of the day before being collared at the line.
The victory caps a brilliant year for trainer Rossi with a first Group 1 and he said: "She deserves to win a big race and she puts her heart on the line every time she runs. She has not been beaten far several times this year and today fortunately it went our way.
"Several times there hasn't been enough pace on and she has been caught for speed before flying home.
"She wasn't drawn ideally but she is just phenomenal. The Breeders' Cup could be next. The faster they go the better for her. She wants to go mile pace but stays 2000 metres. America should suit her and she goes on any ground, as all the good ones do."
Gianluca Bietolini, trainer of Grand Glory, said: "I'm disappointed for the mare who is so brave and who has run a spectacular race. Dettori rode her magnificently. We won a Prix Jean Romanet by a nose and have lost here by the same. That's racing."
Sam Hendry
'He could run in the Dewhurst on' – Frankie and Angel Bleu strike in Lagardere
Angel Bleu gave Ralph Beckett his first Group 1 victory in six years, as he caught front-running Noble Truth in the final stages of the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp.
He was cut to 16-1 for next year's 2,000 Guineas, but he could emerge at Newmarket in just six days' time with Beckett suggesting the Dewhurst is a possibility.
Paddy Power make him an 8-1 chance for that target, and the same price for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf if connections opt to go to America.
Beckett, enjoying a first top-level win since Simple Verse's Champions Day success in 2015, said: "He's a tough horse. He had to go and get him and it was a great ride – it panned out beautifully.
"We could run him back in the Dewhurst on Saturday, that's a possibility, he's become a man now."
Frankie Dettori settled Marc Chan's son of Dark Angel in a midfield position and the horse responded well when asked for his effort, coming away from the rail two out to attack the leader and keep on for a cosy win.
Angel Bleu had not been seen since landing the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, in similarly testing conditions in July and he has been cut to 16-1 (from 50-1) for next season's 2,000 Guineas by Betfair.
The well backed favourite Ancient Rome finished third while Phoenix Stakes winner Ebro River defeated just one rival.
James Stevens
Zellie wins Marcel Boussac for Oisin Murphy and Andre Fabre
Oisin Murphy and Andre Fabre teamed up to draw first blood on Arc day as Zellie landed the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac.
Britain's champion jockey was riding Zellie for the first time, as she stepped up to Group 1 company after a strong-finishing second behind Fleur D'Iris over the course and distance last month.
His mount turned the tables on her stablemate 24 days on to give Fabre his first success in the Boussac since scoring with Miss Tahiti in 1995.
Murphy kept Zellie off the pace, which was set initially by Mickael Barzalona on favourite Fleur D'Iris. He judged things perfectly, finding a gap on the rail to lead inside the final furlong.
Outsider Times Square held on for second, ahead of the George Boughey-trained Oscula in third. The winner earned a quote of 12-1 for the French 1,000 Guineas from Paddy Power.
"What a ride, what a jockey," said bloodstock agent Charles Gordon-Watson on behalf of owner Al Wasmiyah Farm.
Fabre said: "I'm delighted and I never thought she would only be a two-year-old. She has the scope and ability to be nice next year. We're impatient to see her in the Guineas or the Poule d'Essai.
"I think she'll be limited to a mile, maybe the mile and a quarter of the Prix de Diane. There'll be no marathons for her."
David Carr
Read more:
German raider Torquator springs Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe shock
'If the winner wasn't 80-1 we'd be saying it was the best Arc for decades'
2021 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe result: where your horse finished
Aidan O'Brien: Shane Foley should have got a month ban for dangerous riding
Over 50% off Racing Post Members' Club!Members' Club is the only subscription racing fans and punters need in order to stay informed and make smarter betting decisions. Features include early access to the Racing Post digital newspaper, exclusive news and interviews, premium tips and form study tools to assist with betting. Select 'Get Ultimate Monthly' and enter code TRYME to get your first month for just £14.99* – that's better than half price!
If you decide that Members' Club is not for you, then you can cancel at anytime by contacting us.
*Members' Club Ultimate Monthly first month will be charged at £14.99, renews at full price thereafter
Published on inFrance
Last updated
Copy- 'He's lower in the handicap in Britain' - confidence in French cross-country raider high as David Cottin brings two to Cheltenham
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- 'He's in the same form as when he won at Cheltenham' - Leenders in bullish mood for Gold Tweet's Betfair Chase raid
- Auteuil: Peake on top of the world after Kaadam produces perfect display in Prix Maurice Gillois
- Auteuil: Gran Diose does it again for one of jump racing's great target trainers in Louisa Carberry
- 'He's lower in the handicap in Britain' - confidence in French cross-country raider high as David Cottin brings two to Cheltenham
- 'I’ve trained some fabulous horses, worked with some excellent riders - maybe I have brought a little bit of talent to the table as well'
- 'He's in the same form as when he won at Cheltenham' - Leenders in bullish mood for Gold Tweet's Betfair Chase raid
- Auteuil: Peake on top of the world after Kaadam produces perfect display in Prix Maurice Gillois
- Auteuil: Gran Diose does it again for one of jump racing's great target trainers in Louisa Carberry