Gold Cup dream alive for Holdthasigreen crew after brave Barbeville success

France: Longchamp, Sunday

Prix de Barbeville (Group 3) 4yo+ | 1m7½f

Every once in a while a pauper emerges to challenge the princes in French racing and Holdthasigreen continues to play the role to perfection for his happy band of connections.

Now the ultra-consistent son of Hold That Tiger could get to perform in front of the Queen after co-owner Claude Le Lay confirmed the Gold Cup as the long-term target for Holdthasigreen, who battled hard to successfully concede six and a half pounds to Way To Paris.

"I had tears in my eyes watching the finish and this horse is not at all easy to handle, he has a lot of character," said Le Lay. "This is the first year he has consented to have any sort of a proper break over the winter without kicking the fences down and he has really done well for it.

"He'll come back here for the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier and then we entered him yesterday in the Gold Cup so, if all goes well – the horse will tell us that much – then we'll go to Ascot."

Called To The Bar was five and a quarter lengths back in third but could also take in the Vicomtesse Vigier en route to Ascot after Pia Brandt admitted she had not been too hard on her charge following his comeback success.

Also on Sunday

Prix Allez France Longines (Group 3) 4yo+ fillies & mares | 1m2f

Morgan Le Faye finished a short head behind Holdthasigreen in last season's Prix du Cadran over two and a half miles but continues along the route of her reinvention as a top-class performer over much shorter, showing the same turn of foot as when scoring here at Listed level three weeks ago.

This time Tosen Gift was the filly to chase her home with Shahnaza – runner-up to Morgan Le Faye in the Prix Zarkava – this time filling third place.

"She's in great form and won really nicely again today so it's very exciting," said Godolphin France's Lisa-Jane Graffard. "She has plenty of races to aim for over all sorts of trips and all options will be open over ten and 12 furlongs."

Satoshi Kobayashi was delighted with the performance of Tosen Gift and highlighted the Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud next month as the logical next step if the filly remains in good form.

Results

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