Morrison frustrated as Longchamp stewards throw out Marmelo objection

Trainer Hughie Morrison was left feeling "extremely disappointed" after Marmelo failed to get the Prix Maurice de Nieuil in the Longchamp stewards' room on Sunday.

There was just a nose in it as Way To Paris denied Marmelo at the end of a hard-fought contest, leaving Morrison and Ryan Moore to reflect on the nature of France's interference rules, which were overhauled in 2017 to bring them more into line with countries such as Britain and Ireland.

Moore lodged an objection to Cristian Demuro on Way To Paris and Aurelien Lemaitre aboard Call The Wind after receiving a bump shortly after turning into the home straight as the 1m6f Group 2 came to a climax.

Demuro was given a two-day ban for what the stewards considered a minor infraction – the penalty was doubled because the offence occurred in a Group race – as was Lemaitre, but the result was unchanged after the interference at around the two-furlong marker was not deemed to have impacted the finishing order.

"The first thing Ryan said when he jumped off was that he got bumped by the winner," said Morrison. "That has probably cost us half a length or a length so I don't understand the stewards' decision. We are extremely disappointed."

Lemaitre was sanctioned for leaning in on Demuro who then, in forcing his way off the rail, caused a concertina effect which caused Call The Wind to bump Marmelo.

Under the French rules, once the stewards were satisfied that neither Lemaitre nor Demuro had made a dangerous manoeuvre, it became much more unlikely the officials would change the result, even given the narrow winning margin.

Forza Italia! Andrea Marcialis (wearing the hat) greets Way To Paris and Cristian Demuro after their success in the Prix Maurice de Nieuil at LongchampCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

Marmelo will now be aimed at either the Prix Kergorlay at Deauville in August or else the Irish St Leger, with a third tilt at the Melbourne Cup the main end of season target.

Way To Paris was earning trainer Andrea Marcialis his biggest success since moving from his native Italy to Chantilly two and a half years ago.

"He deserved to win a Group race because he has been placed at that level several times, while he is now much calmer in his mind than he was as a younger horse," said Marcialis.

Star Terms finds her trip

Moore's insistence that Star Terms was worth stepping up to a mile and a half was vindicated in stirring fashion as the daughter of Sea The Stars found plenty to land the Listed Prix de Thiberville.

Star Terms had bumped into Group-class fillies of the calibre of Queen Power, Star Catcher and Antonia De Vega in her two most recent starts at Listed level but easily held the challenge of Ebony to score by a length and a quarter on what was her first try at this extended trip.

"She had a comfortable trip and she is a good filly, she has been unlucky not to win a stakes race before now," said Moore. "She ran a very good race here in the Boussac and she deserved her chance."

Earlier Well Of Wisdom gave a boost to the form of the Coventry Stakes when benefiting from an extra furlong and an excellent Mickael Barzalona ride from the front to score in the Listed Prix Roland de Chambure.

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