3 minute read

Derby winner Serpentine back in fourth at ParisLongchamp.

Investec Derby hero Serpentine had to settle for fourth as his stablemate Mogul claimed top honours in the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris at ParisLongchamp.

Serpentine  was a surprise winner of the premier Classic at Epsom under an enterprising front-running ride from Emmet McNamara.

Ridden more patiently on this occasion by Christophe Soumillon, the Galileo colt appeared in a good position rounding the home turn, but ultimately failed to pick up sufficiently, although there was promise in his return.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien has never made any secret of the regard in which he holds Mogul – and he was the chosen mount of Ryan Moore in the Derby, where he finished sixth, despite disappointing at Royal Ascot on his previous start.

Another son of Galileo, he opened his account for the campaign in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, before finishing third behind Pyledriver in last month's Great Voltigeur at York.

Held up for a late run by Pierre-Charles Boudot, Mogul was nearer last than first at the top of the straight, but made stylish headway against the far rail before extending clear in impressive style.

Speaking at the Curragh, O'Brien said: "We're delighted with him (Mogul). We always felt that he was only coming (to hand) and I kept saying it.

"He was starting to show so much speed I kind of thought maybe we were going the wrong way and we should be going back to a mile and a quarter. I said to Pierre-Charles today 'ride him for speed, take your time on him and drop him on the line'.

"He's obviously a fast horse as he's able to quicken. I thought we were going too far today over a mile and a half.

"He's entered in Australia, (or) he can go to for the Champion Stakes at Ascot. He could go to America and Hong Kong, so there's a lot of options for him."

Of Serpentine, he added: "It was his first run back (after a break) and Christophe was very happy with him.

"He had a good break, which we wanted to give him. I was thinking of starting him today and going back for the Arc, but we'll see how he is.

"I was very happy with how happy Christophe was with him."

In Swoop and Gold Trip finished second and third, with the British pair of Highland Chief and English King behind Serpentine in fifth and sixth respectively.