Oaks heroine's son Cualificar continues Godolphin's sparkling run with Group 3 success at Chantilly

Godolphin's fine run with the Classic generation shows no sign of coming to an end as Cualificar proved far too strong for his rivals in the Group 3 Prix de Guiche, one of the most important trials for the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club. 

Settled just in behind only a moderate pace set by Madero, Cualificar drew clear from the two-furlong pole and it was only the held-up Al Aali who made any dent on his lead late on.

Cualificar added a second Group 3 success to the one he landed at Longchamp in the Prix la Force a month ago and is now 6-1 joint-favourite with Twain in Unibet's book for the Jockey Club.

A rare Classic winner trained by Aidan O'Brien to reach the open market, Oaks heroine Qualify, who raced in the colours of Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez, was bought by Godolphin for 1.6 million gns and Cualificar is undoubtedly the best she has produced.

However, Cualificar was winless in two starts at two and Qualify was sold to Ballylinch Stud last December for what now may seem a relatively modest price of €650,000. 

American Gal returns to the Chantilly winner's enclosure with jockey Christophe SoumillonCredit: Racing Post/Burton

Later on the card, the Ed Walker-trained American Gal made a pleasing impression when making most of the running to land the Listed Prix des Lilas for three-year-old fillies over a mile. 

Afterwards Walker appeared to be leaning towards returning to Chantilly to take up an engagement in the Prix de Diane Longines on June 15.

"Christophe Soumillon felt ground was pretty important and she wouldn’t want it any quicker than that," said Walker. "We’re not going to rush her, we’ll see what the weather gods do but I’d be pretty tempted to come back for the Diane.

"Ascot [and the Coronation Stakes] is more likely to be quick but I think she could do either. She’ll definitely stay a bit further and while she doesn’t have to make the running, she was happy in front today.

"It’s so hard to have horses that are good enough to have a go in these races and I think she deserves a shot at it, so I’d say the most likely thing is that if the ground is suitable, she’ll probably go back for the Diane."

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