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Feature Race Review: Prix Exbury.

Pretty Tiger enhanced his outstanding record at Saint-Cloud when narrowly fending off rivals in the G3 Prix Exbury (2000m) on Sunday.

The first European Group race of the year did not disappoint with a classy field lining up including 2021 G1 Prix d'Ispahan (1900m) winner Skalleti. Dawn Intello was the early pace setter and set a strong tempo throughout. Winning jockey Christophe Soumillon had Pretty Tiger in fifth, two off the rail. 

Racing along the back, Alexis Pouchin on Il Decamerone was the only jockey to switch to the far side of the course, gaining the advantage at halfway. Turning for home, the majority of the field were travelling strongly and it looked an open contest. Christophe Soumillon was motionless on Pretty Tiger and began to make significant headway at the 500m marker to draw alongside the leaders. Skalleti and Hurricane Dream also finished off strongly but Soumillon's mount knuckled down and responded well in the final 200m to take victory. 

The four-year-old son of Sea The Moon enhanced his profile at this course and now boasts an unbeaten record of three from three at Saint-Cloud. In addition, Pretty Tiger has five wins and one placing from six attempts over 2000m. He won at this fixture twelve months ago when successful in the Listed Prix François Mathet (2100m) and appears to have further progressed as a four-year-old. Connections will be hoping Pretty Tiger can develop into a Group One performer this season. His next target is the G1 Prix Ganay (2100m).

Sire, Sea The Moon, was highly talented on the track, including an impressive eleven length truimph in the 2014 G1 145 Deutsches Derby (2400m) at Hamburg (Germany). He has continued his success at stud with 33 stakes performers.