'These silks are walking on water' - yet more success for Princess Zahra and Francis Graffard as Rayif sets up big Ascot clash with Bow Echo

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Immediately after the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains, Princess Zahra knew where she wanted to go next with her impressive winner Rayif.

“I have an idea, but of course I need to check with Francis [Graffard],” she said, respecting the man who has masterminded a golden spring for the famous green silks with red epaulettes.

However, the sheer excitement of winning a Classic with her homebred caused a momentary headrush, and she whispered “Royal Ascot”.

The idea of Rayif, the Aga Khan team’s first Poulains winner this century, meeting the brutish Bow Echo in Berkshire next month should cause a similar degree of excitement for racing fans. 

He was generally cut to 10-1 (from 25) for the St James's Palace Stakes, but bookmakers will almost certainly be taking shears to that price as, while this was a very different performance to Bow Echo's, it was also impressive.

Mickael Barzalona tracked the same Sheikh Mohammed Obaid silks worn by Billy Loughnane at Newmarket, this time on the Karl Burke-trained Hankelow, and when he finally delivered his challenge there was only ever going to be one winner.

Rayif’s half-sister Rayevka won the Group 3 sprint earlier on the card, and Rayif won here with speed more than stamina. Despite the rain-softened ground they didn’t think he would like, and the lack of a prep run, he won well.

A slow early pace and a smart ride from Barzalona meant the Sea The Moon colt was well positioned to take advantage, but boy did he do so.

What a spring it has been for Princess Zahra and the Aga Khan Studs. Calandagan won the Sheema Classic, Daryz won the Ganay, their last six runners had all won. Rayif has now added a Classic.

"They’re all running well and these silks seem to be walking on water at the moment,” said Graffard. “It’s just wonderful and I hope it can last because it’s a long season ahead."

On future plans, the trainer's thoughts and sentiments were almost perfectly in sync with his owner's.

Rayif and Mickael Barzalona return after winning the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp

"We’ll discuss it with Princess Zahra, but I would have thought we’ll go to the St James's Palace Stakes at Ascot – I don’t really want to step him up in trip," he said.

"We were lucky to have a good draw and Mickael was able to ride him close to the pace, and he’s a colt who always gets to a high cruising speed quickly. He had a great trip and was in the perfect spot to launch his attack. It was a wonderful victory."

William Buick was a fast-finishing second on the Andre Fabre-trained Godolphin homebred Komorebi, and said: “He ran super. From stall nine it's a slightly awkward draw and he's not the quickest early.

"We had a nice run around, the pace wasn't very fast and the winner was in the box seat.

"He felt like he'd improve again. He'd probably prefer better ground and we'll see what Mr Fabre wants to do, but he potentially could get further."

For all the Karl Burke-trained Hankelow made a bold bid from the front, was tapped for toe by the winner and passed late on by Komorebi, he was back in front again after the line and is another for whom the Prix du Jockey Club could be an option.

"He ran a great race," Burke said. "He’d definitely stay another furlong and maybe another two, so the Prix du Jockey Club would be top of the list. 

"He loved that ground and he’s never had the soft he’s wanted, so we're very happy with the run without winning."

On his pair, who finished fourth and eighth, Aidan O'Brien said: “Puerto Rico looked a little bit rusty on his first run of the year so we'll try again. I think a mile will be his trip. Dorset might want better ground."

Read these next:

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Aga Khan speedster cut for Group 1 sprint at Royal Ascot after dominating rivals 

Derby hopeful Pierre Bonnard beaten again as Joseph O'Brien runner nabs odds-on favourite late in photo-finish thriller 

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