'I had a good feeling about today' - Tim Donworth lands Prix Pawneese for Team Valor with progressive Saxon Girl

Winning on the biggest days is a sure way for a young trainer to get noticed and the upward trajectory of Tim Donworth's career continued after Saxon Girl and Aurelien Lemaitre wore down Agile and the William Haggas-trained Chorus in a desperate finish to the Prix Pawneese.

"I had a really good feeling about today and she's progressed with every run this season, and she's really looked great the last week or so," said Donworth, who bought Carlos Laffon-Parias's yard last winter and has plenty of well-bred and well-brought horses to go to war with in the second half of the year.

"I'm just so grateful to the owners Team Valor for investing with us, and to Marc-Antoine Berghgracht, who bought the filly, as well as Aurelien, who forms a big part of the team.

"This filly has been second a number of times but she's completely genuine and now she's won her Listed race. I hope this won't be the limit of what she can achieve."

Rafale repays faith

With his colt entered in the Goffs London Sale, there must have been a major temptation for Yann Barberot to give Rafale Design an entry at Royal Ascot. 

However, he stuck to his guns with a horse he believes can win the Grand Prix de Paris and the choice of the Prix du Lys – a major trial for the Group 1 contest on July 13 – proved the right one as Rafale Design and Christophe Soumillon got up inside the final half-furlong to deny Surabad.

Christophe Soumillon returns after Rafale Design wins the G3 Prix du Lys

Bloodstock agent Ghislain Bozo will chair the discussions about what price it will take any potential investor to get Rafale Design's owners to part with the son of Starspangledbanner, while Barberot was left in awe of the colt.

"I don't think I've ever trained a horse with this much stamina who is as good as him," said Barberot. "This was an essential step on the road to the Grand Prix de Paris, a race I think he ticks all the boxes for.

"What will be will be tomorrow, all I can do is my job."

More for Graffard

Surabad's defeat was a rare reverse for Francis Graffard who, in addition to dominating the finish of the Prix de Diane, scooped Group 3 success in the Prix du Bois and Prix Bertrand du Breil. 

Moojed and Mickael Barzalona after winning the Prix du BoisCredit: Racing Post/Burton

Juvenile Moojed opened his account at the third time of asking in the Prix du Bois, and his defeat of the Karl Burke-trained favourite Ali Shuffle did not come as a complete surprise to his trainer. 

"He's become very professional and he was pointing his ears the whole way, and I'm delighted he's chosen this race to win for the first time," said Graffard. "I thought he was well capable of at least being placed and he's still maturing physically, so I think there's more to come."

Prix Bertrand du Breuil winner Zabiari showed his wellbeing on Tuesday when working upsides with the Aga Khan Studs' Diane candidates Cankoura and Mandanaba, and he showed tenacity to get the better of Marhaba Ya Sanafi and Make Me King in a finish of necks. 

Read more:

'I was on my own little cloud' - Gezora fends off Bedtime Story to lead home Francis Graffard one-three-four in Classic 

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