Aga Khan Stud's Cankoura shows slick turn of foot to set up Group 1 target

The Francis Graffard-trained Cankoura showed a slick turn of foot before holding off the determined challenge of Life Is Beautiful to land the Group 3 Prix de Psyche. 

In doing so she gave a boost to the form of the Prix de Diane, in which she finished third on her most recent start, and set up a potential return to Group 1 company here at the end of the month.

"She has become a very professional filly as she's gained experience and I think she's still improving," said Nemone Routh, racing manager in France for the Aga Khan Studs. "Her strength is that you can put her anywhere in a race and she has that acceleration. 

"She enjoys good ground but also handles soft, and I think if she remains in good form we could see her back here in three weeks for the Prix Jean Romanet. When you saw her in the ring beforehand she's not 100 per cent wound up today and she should come forward for it. 

Cankoura also holds entries in the Prix Vermeille and the Prix de l'Opera. 

Green Spirit denies Balantina

The Prix Six Perfections was in the balance for a couple of minutes as the judge polished his magnifying glass, but it was Wertheimer et Frere's Green Spirit who prevailed at the expense of Tom Marquand and Balantina.

Green Spirit is unbeaten in three starts after landing the Prix Six PerfectionsCredit: Scott Burton (racingpost.com/photos)

Christopher Head, whose winner is now three from three, said: "We took a risk keeping Green Spirit at 1,400 metres because she was up against sprinting fillies there, and it will be the last time she runs at that trip.

"I'm delighted she showed that turn of foot to get it done and she'll now head to the Prix d'Aumale." 

Balantina was last seen finishing third to Venetian Sun in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot, and trainer Donnacha O'Brien said: "She ran a belter and Tom said she was in front before and after the line, but we were just quite unlucky with the bob. That's racing sometimes and I'm proud of the filly." 

A delighted Hollie Doyle with Tadej following their victory in the Group 3 Prix de CabourgCredit: Scott Burton (racingpost.com/photos)

Tadej earns his yellow jersey

Like his namesake, the reigning Tour de France champion Tadej Pogacar, the Archie Watson-trained Tadej proved himself to be tougher than his rivals when overcoming a short turnaround between two trips to France in landing the Group 3 Prix de Cabourg over 6f. 

Tadej's rider Hollie Doyle looked a sitting duck as Afjan and Christophe Soumillon swept to the front, but the advantage was never more than a neck and the two-year-old colt battled back in tenacious fashion. 

“He really deserved that today," Doyle said. "He’s got some great form and has run some really serious races without winning. He ran a huge race at Royal Ascot and was just ever so unlucky in the Papin two weeks ago. 

“To come back after such a short gap and get the job done is all credit to the team back home. He’s a really fine horse and was a standout from very early on. Physically he’s got three-year-old written all over him.” 

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