Green Sense puts Albany disappointment behind her with Robert Papin strike for Joseph O'Brien

On a day when significant rain arrived for the first time in weeks – and just in time for a couple of notable runners – Green Sense showed her running in the Albany Stakes was all wrong when holding off the late challenge of Super Soldier to land the Goffs Prix Robert Papin.

The daughter of Starman was sent off a 9-2 chance in the Albany off the back of her close second to Lady Iman at Naas, but she trailed home ten lengths behind Venetian Sun on the good to firm ground at the royal meeting. Here, returning to a slower surface, she was back to her best, securing Group 2 glory.

"We were hopeful of a good run after being a bit disappointed with her effort at Ascot," said the filly's trainer Joseph O'Brien. 

"The Cheveley Park Stakes looks an obvious target for her now and we could even have a look at the Prix Morny en route."

Green Sense runs in the colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede and was picked up for €90,000 at Goffs by Anthony Bromley, who said: "We're thrilled to see her bounce back to form today. Joseph has always held her in high esteem and she didn't let herself down on the firm ground at Ascot. It was a great bit of placing today by Joseph and the team, and it's all very exciting for Simon and Isaac."

Karl Burke and Clifford Lee were left to rue a lack of daylight at a crucial moment as Super Soldier ran on late to snatch second.

"The winner had a lovely clear run and they probably didn’t go quick enough for him early," said Burke. "He just got locked up there and stopped in his run a couple of times. Then when he did get a gap another horse squeezed him up. I think he’s a little bit unlucky there."

Super Soldier ran down the field behind Gstaad in the Coventry Stakes at the royal meeting and was another to appreciate the morning rain.

"I knew he should not have been outsider of the pack as his work had improved since Ascot," said Burke. "He stayed well and the ground is slower, that’s the key to him. Every time he’s run it’s always been pretty quick ground, and Cliff has always come in and said it’s on the fast side for him, he’s feeling it.

"He’s a lovely honest horse and hopefully we can nick one of these somewhere. The Gimcrack is a possibility if it's nice ground – he’s up to that level."

Quddwah dominates

So much of this Flat season has been a tale of fast-ground form, which must be something of a frustration if, like Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, your two best older horses want at least some cut. But while the wait goes on to see Almaqam, Quddwah took full advantage of the ease in conditions here to dominate the Group 3 Prix Messidor under Callum Shepherd, banishing memories of his no-show in the Queen Anne last month.

Callum Shepherd and Quddwah return after Group 3 success in the Prix Messidor at ChantillyCredit: Scott Burton (racingpost.com/photos)

Joint-trainer Simon Crisford said: "We’re delighted with him. Ascot was very excusable as it was too quick that day and he didn’t let himself down on the ground. When he’s got these sorts of conditions he’s a very good horse, as you saw today.

"We’ll talk to Sheikh Ahmed and see what he would like to do for the future, but races like the Celebration Mile, the Jacques le Marois and the Prix du Moulin all come into discussions. We’ll see how he is after the race and make a plan."

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Joseph O'Brien strikes with first runner at track as smart juvenile winner completes great weekend for Paul Byrne 

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