Greatrex and Watson enjoy Riviera touch at Cagnes-sur-Mer with Barys

Barys made the long journey from Lambourn to the Cote d'Azur more than pay when making all under a positive Edward Greatrex to land the Listed Prix de la Californie on Sunday.

The application of first-time blinkers at Lingfield last time seemed to bring about plenty of improvement, and Greatrex had the race at Cagnes-sur-Mer in safe keeping a furlong out after encouraging the Archie Watson-trained Barys to go about his business from the start.

"He's a lovely, big Kodiac and I was quite confident on the back of his Lingfield win," said Greatrex. "He can be just a tad lazy, hence the blinkers, but he's not ungenuine at all and is coming on with every run.

"He's strengthening all the time and I think the older he gets the better he'll get. He's done well since the last time I rode him in a race and Archie has him shaping up to be a lovely horse."

Although his two wins have come on Polytrack, Greatrex believes Barys will be equally effective back on turf.

He said: "He was slightly weak for his frame before but after that I think a nice galloping track back on turf would suit him down to the ground."

Earlier Pump Pump Palace struck for the home team and favourite backers when producing a fine change of gear to run down Pretorio and Roc Angel in the Listed Grand Prix de la Riviera, one of two wins on the day for Pierre-Charles Boudot.

Winning trainer Jean-Pierre Gauvin said: "It was the ideal race for him because there was a lot of pace on.

Jean-Pierre Gauvin believes Pump Pump Palace has taken his form to a new level this seasonCredit: Scott Burton

"I was worried about being drawn in 15 but Pierre-Charles and I were on the same wavelength in terms of tactics and, having got him covered up, when they straightened up he showed a real turn of foot. He loves having that pace to run at and I think he's gone up a level this year and is better than ever."

Gauvin added: "We’ll look at more races at this level and trip because I think he’ll have too much weight in handicaps now. The Defi du Galop series would be a good option for him."

The Watson-trained Mango Tango finished tenth of the 16 runners in this race, with the Michael Bell-trained Plait finishing 14th.

Did you know you can bet via the Racing Post mobile app/website? Simply sign in with your favourite bookmaker via the Accounts button and then bet direct from our racecards