'All options remain open' for Maranoa Charlie after winning return in Prix Djebel

Maranoa Charlie returns after winning the G3 Prix Djebel at Deauville

Maranoa Charlie returns after winning the Group 3 Prix Djebel at Deauville

Maranoa Charlie showed fighting spirit to go with his high cruising speed when holding off a race-fit Silius to land the Prix Djebel.

The son of Wootton Bassett, who rounded off last year with a leg-weary fourth to Twain in the Criterium International on deep ground over a mile, showed impressive versatility here in dropping back to 7f on a much sounder surface.

"I loved his attitude at the end as he went again when the runner-up came to him and showed real fight," said trainer Christopher Head. "He already looked like a three-year-old last year but he has strengthened further over the winter.

"We'll have to discuss it with the owners but as well as the Poule [d'Essai des Poulains] there are several options. He could go sprinting or perhaps he might run in Britain. He seems to have plenty of gas and I think we'll look at races for him that place an accent on his speed. All options remain open at the moment."

How many milers will emerge from this traditional Classic trial remains an open question, with the Karl Burke-trained Arabie failing to progress from fourth inside the final furlong.

Silius came here with the benefit of three wins at Cagnes-sur-Mer and slipstreamed Maranoa Charlie before drawing out to throw down a determined challenge, but was a length and a quarter down at the line.

"He had the advantage of coming here in excellent form and he enjoyed the perfect trip behind the winner," said Pierre-Yves Bureau, racing manager for Wertheimer et Frere.

"He's run very well but we were beaten by the better horse on the day and on a straight track 1,400 metres [seven furlongs] may be as far as he wants to go. We'll let the dust settle on the other trials and see if he takes up the option of the Poule d'Essai, or he could go down the road of the Prix Paul de Moussac and ultimately the Jean Prat."

Juddmonte's Better Together is entered for the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches on May 11 and was arguably the most likely Classic winner on view after taking her record to three wins from four starts in the Prix Imprudence for Andre Fabre and Alexis Pouchin.

Alexis Pouchin with Better Together after success in the G3 Prix Imprudence at Deauville

Alexis Pouchin with Better Together after their success in the Group 3 Prix Imprudence at Deauville

"She comes from a wonderful family, which is also that of Kalpana and there's some stamina in there, so I don't see a problem in her staying 1,600 metres [a mile]," said Claude Beniada, representing Juddmonte.

The race was billed as a test of whether last season's Cheveley Park runner-up, Daylight, could stretch her talent beyond six furlongs, with stablemate Kaadi setting stern early fractions.

Mickael Barzalona moved up to challenge when the pacemaker folded but, even allowing for this being her seasonal return, Daylight appeared weakest in the final furlong on her way to third place.

"It was a comeback in the proper sense but my first impression is that she was beaten by a lack of stamina," said Pauline Chehboub of co-owners Gousserie Racing. "Mickael [Barzalona] said she came there very easily but that in the last 50 metres she seemed to be at her limit."

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