The Revenant makes light of heavy going for Graffard and Boudot at Saint-Cloud

The opening meeting of the year at Saint-Cloud conformed to type in being run on very heavy ground, but both The Revenant and Phoceene made light of conditions in taking the first two Listed prizes of the season in Paris.

The Revenant began his career with Hugo Palmer, but owners Al Asayl have followed the same route as with Group 1-winning filly Bateel, sending him to Francis Graffard in search of more soft ground opportunities.

Pierre-Charles Boudot watched on from the rear, but when he asked The Revenant to pick up in the straight, the answer was decisive.

"We gelded him after his last win here and I wasn't sure if he was short of a gallop," said Graffard. "He really enjoys soft ground and we don't have any choice but to come back for the [Group 3] Prix Edmond Blanc.

"As he had only done one light piece of work last Monday we rode him to be in the first three. The ground helps him a lot and we'll make plenty of use of him early on."

The Charlie Hills-trained Time For A Toot faded late on to finish fifth on his first start of 2019.

Phoceene, Maxime Guyon and Fredereric Rosse (right of picture) after the Prix Rose de Mai at Saint-Cloud on SundayCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

Phoceene also gave her rivals a start in the Prix Rose de Mai but, rather than circle the field, Maxime Guyon found himself with enough horse to take a gap on the rail when it opened up.

Trainer Frederic Rossi said: "It was a bit of a risk running her back after only 13 days but she really showed us something that day, just as she has today.

"I loved the way she picked up and she could come back here for the Prix Penelope with a view to booking her ticket for the Prix de Diane Longines."

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