'We think he's top notch' - Atomic Force blasts to Group 3 win at Chantilly

There were some serious two-year-old performances through the five days of Royal Ascot but few juveniles can have landed a Group race with as much in hand as the Kevin Ryan-trained Atomic Force, who blew apart the Prix du Bois under Stephane Pasquier.

In doing so he graduated stylishly from a Hamilton maiden win on his second start to mark himself a horse with a big future.

Ryan said: "We think he's a very, very good horse and he won comfortably last time. We picked this race for him and I just told Stephane to let him bowl along. Going half pace in front we knew he'd just prick his ears. We think he's top notch.

"We gelded him and I suppose that narrows things down, but there's plenty of good races. We'll get him home and we'll make a plan for the rest of the year."

Atomic Force is owned by Hambleton Racing and a spokesman said the Group 2 Darley Prix Robert Papin back over the same six furlong course and distance on July 18 would come under strong consideration.

A mile looks right for brave Erasmo

The Andre Fabre-trained Erasmo handled both the return to a mile and Group 3 company when holding the late charge of German challenger Best Lightning to land the Prix Paul de Moussac Longines over a mile.

Godolphin's son of Oasis Dream had to settle for minor honours in the Prix La Force in April, but after claiming a confidence-boosting win at Listed level over seven furlongs, posted a career-best effort under Mickael Barzalona.

Erasmo and Mickael Barzalona return to the Chantilly winners' enclosure after winning the Group 3 Prix Paul de Moussac LonginesCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

Lisa-Jane Graffard, representing Godolphin, said: "Erasmo is a very brave horse, who never runs a bad race, and this is a fantastic result for him.

"We will see how he comes out of the race but he has been kept busy so far this season. We may give him a break before bringing him back for the autumn, possibly looking at one of the races on Arc weekend."

Ecrivain writes his best chapter to date

Ecrivain has been mixing it with the best in France at intermediate trips but on his first start of the year back at a mile, the Wertheimer Brothers son of Lope De Vega came with a well-timed challenge between Reshabar and Sagamiyra to land the Group 3 Prix du Bertrand du Breuil Longines.

Winning trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias said: "He has not been an easy horse to place and today they went pretty fast, which was a worry. I didn't know if the gap would open up but it all worked out.

"It's a good sign for the future and we'll aim him at the good races over 1,600 metres from here on."

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