Search

show me:

The Revenant enters Ascot frame with comfortable ParisLongchamp verdict

3 minute read

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes could be on the agenda after Group Two strike

Francis Graffard
Francis Graffard Picture: Racing and Sports

The Revenant continued his progression with a devastating display in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein at ParisLongchamp.

Trained by Hugo Palmer as a juvenile, he moved to France for his three-year-old career and Francis-Henri Graffard was the lucky recipient.

With his sights kept low last season, he won three of his four races before being gelded.

The Revenant  has been on a roll this year too, claiming a Listed race and a Group Three at Saint-Cloud before taking Group Two honours in Germany last time out.

Carrying a penalty under Pierre-Charles Boudot, once he hit top gear the race was over as a contest and he flew down the middle of the track to win by four and a half lengths.

"I was very pleased to see him run well. We had top weight but we knew he handled these conditions," Graffard told Sky Sports Racing.

"From what I have seen, it is clear he has improved again. He's never let us down and it's thanks to the owners as they believe in me.

"He was in the field having fun for a month. If he's well after this, he has an entry in the QEII and he'll go for that."

Boudot had earlier struck gold as Skalleti quickened up impressively to take his winning run to six in the Prix Dollar.

Roger Varian's Mountain Angel appeared to have stolen the race from the front under a good ride from Olivier Peslier, but with half a furlong to run, his stride began to shorten.

Charlie Appleby's Line Of Duty was closing down the outside, but Jérôme Reynier's Skalleti, who had won a Group Three last time out, came home with a wet sail.

Mountain Angel clung on for second, beaten three-quarters of a length. Line Of Duty was third with Jessica Harrington's Leo De Fury fourth.

Reynier said: "We supplemented Skaletti in the Prix Dollar mainly because we couldn't have Pierre-Charles Boudot for the Prix Wildenstein.

"Pierre-Charles was the perfect rider. He's a horse who has always won a shade cosily. He was a bit anxious and we will wait and see about what we are going to do next, but we will certainly go abroad."

Boudot, who also won one of the shoulder races, was aboard Martyn Meade's Technician as he relished the step up in trip for the Prix Chaudenay.

Well beaten behind Logician in the St Leger, an extra furlong and softer ground brought out the best in him.

William Buick tried to steal the race turning in on Moonlight Spirit and he was four lengths clear at one point, but Technician stayed on stoutly.

Meade was at Ascot and said: "We were concerned about the ground. We always thought he wanted it, but he'd never raced on it and it was one-mile-seven but he really stuck on.

"I'm really, really pleased with him."

Mark Johnston hoped that avoiding Stradivarius would enable Dee Ex Bee to win his first Group One in the Prix du Cadran, but he had to settle for third behind Holdthasigreen and Call The Wind.

The two French horses had filled the same two positions in the race 12 months ago, but Call The Wind was successful then.

Holdthasigreen was allowed to set a sedate pace under Tony Piccone and stole an advantage he would not relinquish.

Dee Ex Bee, ridden by Mickael Barzalona for the first time, got going all too late to finish a close-up third.


At The Races

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au