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Control Tower rounds off with dominant success for Clement at Saint-Cloud

Control Tower surged six lengths clear of her rivals to win the Group 3 Prix Belle de Nuit at Saint-Cloud for trainer Nicolas Clement
Control Tower surged six lengths clear of her rivals to win the Group 3 Prix Belle de Nuit at Saint-Cloud for trainer Nicolas ClementCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

Control Tower has gone close in Listed company this season and ran a fair race in the Group 1 Prix de Royallieu, so there was a sense she may have been due a win ahead of the Group 3 Prix Belle de Nuit.

Yet few would have expected her to draw six lengths clear of Joie De Soir under Cristian Demuro, who stepped in for the ride after regular rider Sebastien Maillot suffered a leg injury on the gallops.

"She loves it here and stays well. I probably ran her over too short earlier in the year. She got a good ride," said Nicolas Clement.

"She's a super filly and we'll probably keep her as a five-year-old and target the Royallieu. I thought she was a bit unlucky the other day as she dropped back at the wrong time. She's getting better."

Magny Cours all class to run down Century Dream

A return to the Dubai World Cup may be on the cards for Magny Cours after he produced an impressive effort to run down Century Dream inside the final furlong of the Group 3 Prix Perth over a mile.

Better than the rest: Magny Cours dominated the finish of the Prix Perth under Mickael Barzalona
Better than the rest: Magny Cours dominated the finish of the Prix Perth under Mickael BarzalonaCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

"He has a lot of class and is fully mature now," said Godolphin racing manager Lisa-Jane Graffard. "He was quite fragile earlier in his career and since he came back from Dubai he's been tougher and more mature than ever.

"I don't think he's finished yet and the Dubai World Cup could be a target. He runs well on soft and good ground, and the dirt – what he really needs is a decent rhythm. He's just a wonderful horse."

Brentford Hope was no match for the winner but ran on well to finish third for trainer Richard Hughes and Pat Cosgrave.

Sweet Lady sails home

Sweet Lady looked set for minor honours as the Group 3 Prix de Flore reached the boil but Ioritz Mendizabal conjured a winning run to deny Jupyra, having already struck with El Bodegon on the card.

"She took a little while to find her stride but Ioritz was impressed with the way she accelerated and he said he was sure he'd win with 200 metres to go," said winning trainer Francis Graffard

"She's been a little unlucky this year and while no discussions have been had about her future with the owners, she would be very interesting to have around next season."


Read more international race reports:

Ferguson and Beckett revel in Group 1 glory as El Bodegon and Angel Bleu deliver

'It was an anxious wait' - State Of Rest survives inquiry drama to win Cox Plate


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Scott BurtonFrance correspondent

Published on 23 October 2021inInternational

Last updated 18:13, 23 October 2021

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