Esprit Mystic recorded a first Group race success when running out a very easy winner of the G3 Prix de la Côte d'Azur (2900m) last Thursday.

The eight-year-old was always well positioned by trainer/driver Nicolas Ensch saving plenty of ground on the inside until pulled out to challenge wide rounding the final bend. The son of Village Mystic showed a smart turn of foot to put distance between himself and the field in the straight.

It was a fourteenth career success for Esprit Mystic and one that set a new personal best reduction km rating of 1'12''3.

Elie de Beaufour followed up his success in the G3 Prix Jean Dumouch (2850m) with a victory in the G3 Prix du Forez (2700m) last Friday.

The Jean-Michel Bazire-trained eight-year-old has an exceptional overall record of twenty-four wins from just thirty-four starts.

Always prominent throughout Jean-Michel Bazire worked his mount into a striking position at the midway stage tracking pacesetter and eventual runner-up Fire Cracker. The pair picked it up rounding the home turn and the son of Royal Dream lengthened away in the closing stages for a comfortable victory.

Although already an eight-year-old there should be more to come from him given the triumph was a new personal best reduction km rating of 1'11''1. The 2700m distance on the Grande Piste at Vincennes appears to suit and it would be no surprise if he went on to further success at Group level under those conditions.

Hohneck upheld form with Hooker Berry and Sayonara when following-up his Group One success in the G2 Prix de Croix (2850m) at Vincennes last week.

The Philippe Allaire-trained gelding has been in exceptional form of late and rounded out the hat-trick with this impressive victory. Midfield early in what looked a slowly run and tactical affair, driver François Lagadeuc made a decisive move to take up the running passing the 2000m stage. Hohneck kicked off the home turn and ultimately ran out a very easy winner under an enterprising drive.

The high-class five-year-old looks sure to have now thrown his hat firmly in the ring for the G1 Prix d'Amérique (2700m) in a fortnights time. Already qualified for the year's feature event, Philippe Allaire's progressive son of Royal Dream looks a big danger to the likes of Face Time Bourbon and Etonnant.

Victory in the G2 Prix de Croix (2850m) rounded off an excellent double for sire Royal Dream as Elie de Beaufour won the G3 Prix du Forez (2700m) earlier on the card.      

It was yet another success for Jean-Michel Bazire as Feydeau Seven found success in the feature G2 Prix de Belgique (2850m). Feydeau Seven booked his spot in the G1 Prix d'Amérique (2700m) with victory in the final qualifier last Sunday.

Success never looked likely in the home straight as the pair had plenty of ground to make up on stablemate Davidson du Pont, who subsequently broke stride entering the final few hundred metres. Handing victory to Feydeau Seven who coasted home from eventual runner-up Diable de Vauvert, who also books his spot in the G1 Prix d'Amérique (2700m).

Jean-Michel Bazire also expressed his gratitude and excitement of Feydeau Seven lining up in two weeks' time as not only his trainer but breeder as well.

Of the others Frank Nivard had little explanation for the disqualification of Gu d'Héripré whilst David Thomain suggested Délia du Pommereux needed the outing.

Idao de Tillard looked to progress when stepping up to Group level for the first-time in the G3 Prix de Riberac (2700m) last Sunday. The victory made it eight wins from just ten career starts for the son of Severino who showed a likeable attitude for Clément Duvaldestin.

The pair were always prominent throughout and established a clear lead at the 500m stage. Idao de Tillard always appeared to be going best entering the home straight and he put the race to bed with a decisive turn of foot.

The unexposed four-year-old looks a smart prospect for one of the top trainers Thierry Duvaldestin and a further step up in grade could prove imminent in the coming months.  

Diamant de Tréabat made it two wins from three starts at this level when taking out the G3 Prix Djerid (2200m) at Vincennes last Sunday.

Jockey Clément Frécelle made his intentions clear early on when sending Diamant de Tréabat straight to front early on. The early fractions looked strong enough, but Clément Frécelle was able to dictate matters through the middle stages, and the son of Kuadro Wild lengthened away in taking style for a very easy success.  

The Pascal Monthulé-trained nine-year-old has made up into a consistent performer at Group Three level and further success could be on the cards in his current form.