Arc-winning team strike again and turn sights to Royal Ascot - but it's a wasted birthday trip to France for Hollie Doyle

Six days on from Arc victory with Daryz, the Aga Khan Studs and Francis Graffard roadshow rolled on as Samangan made light work of four rivals to land the Group 2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte. 

A Group 3 winner when overcoming a tardy start over this course and distance last month, the son of Blue Point was far more alert here and sealed the victory when sent clear by Mickael Barzalona at the two-furlong marker.

His task had been made considerably easier when the Archie Watson-trained Tadej was withdrawn by the racecourse veterinary team in the parade ring, leaving Hollie Doyle to trudge back to the weighing room without having taken up her only ride of the day on her 29th birthday. 

The subsequent stewards' report said the vets were concerned about a bruise on Tadej's thigh, which a stable representative said dated from a previous injury and had flared up again after recent exercise and the horse then rolling in his box. 

But there was no mistaking Samangan's superiority, and although the 2022 running of this race was won by a future European champion miler in Charyn, Graffard and the Aga Khan team are set to start off next season with sprinting as the aim. 

Graffard said: "This was an easier set of rivals than last time and on less testing ground. I think he's a good ground horse who is becoming more mature, and Mickael was very happy with him.

"If we stick at 1,200 metres [six furlongs] then the aim will be the Commonwealth Cup [at Royal Ascot], with the hope that he might stretch out to seven in the Prix Jean Prat. 

"Physically he's a big, strong horse, and built for sprinting. His jockey felt he was much more business-like this time, and when he asked him to accelerate he did it easily."

Nitoi and Maxime Guyon: on the mark again at ChantillyCredit: Racing Post/Burton

Nitoi pulled out more when required to see off Chibitty and win the Prix Le Fabuleux, a second Listed prize at Chantilly following his success in the Prix de Suresnes in May.

A wide draw prevented the Wertheimers' imposing son of Siyouni from playing a leading role in the Prix du Jockey Club, but his form had already been advertised earlier in the afternoon when his Deauville conqueror Damysus scored at Newmarket, and he looks an interesting project as a four-year-old for his owners and trainer Andre Fabre. 

Read more:

Retiring Daryz 'would have sent the wrong message' says Aga Khan Studs with Arc hero to return in 2026 

From last to first! Billy Loughnane produces Beylerbeyi to perfection in Cesarewitch 

'This is a very big moment for racing' - York chief warns next year's prize-money levels hinge on chancellor's budget 

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