3 minute read

And Deep Bond strikes for Japan in the Prix Foy.

Bubble Gift 's late challenge just edged the tightest of finishes ahead of Baby Rider in the Qatar Prix Niel at ParisLongchamp.

The Group Two on Arc Trials day lost much of its lustre when Aidan O'Brien's anticipated short-priced favourite Bolshoi Ballet was announced as a late non-runner because of a vaccination expiry.

In his absence, Pretty Tiger was installed at the head of the market.

But as he weakened to eventually finish last of five, after challenging for the lead into the straight, it was instead Baby Rider who appeared sure to prevail when arriving from off the pace to burst clear in the last furlong.

Instead, though, it was to be Mikel Delzangles' Bubble Gift, held up even further back by Gerald Mosse, who ultimately prevailed – getting up to win by nose in the very last stride from his fellow 5-1 shot.

There was still a stewards' inquiry to navigate, after Timour had appeared briefly short of room – but an eventual margin of a further length and a half back to that third-placed runner meant Bubble Gift was not in danger of losing the race.

This established trial for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe was last won, back in 2019, by Sottsass – who went on to win the hugely coveted Group One over this same course and distance a year later.

Bubble Gift has an Arc entry. But even after this victory, the three-year-old – also a ParisLongchamp Group Two winner back in May – was priced at 40-1 with Coral to beat the best over the course next month.

His trainer Delzangles was relieved to have snatched the verdict here.

He told Sky Sports Racing: "Honestly, I thought we were second.

"He's always run very well, (but) we were disappointed after the Grand Prix de Paris (when sixth behind Hurricane Lane).

"That was a tricky race, and it (just) didn't really happen how we wanted."

Mosse was content to let others race much more prominently this time – but Delzangles was always confident Bubble Gift was close enough.

"It wasn't the plan," he said.

"(But) there weren't many runners, so we weren't that far from the head of the race.

"The horse was very relaxed, and he's been able to quicken like he showed us in the spring."

As for his next target, both the Arc and Group Two Prix Chaudenay over a longer trip are in the equation.

"We'll see," added Delzangles.

"We'll have to discuss that with the owner – but all the options are open now."

Deep Bond struck for Japan with an all-the-way victory in the Group Two Qatar Prix Foy.

Cristian Demuro had Ryuji Okubo's four-year-old in front from the outset on the way to a length-and-a-half victory from Broome.

The O'Brien-trained runner-up, ridden by Frankie Dettori, was always in closest attendance to the 17-2 winner but could never reel him in.

Favourite Skalleti, bidding for a fifth successive victory en route to his big target in the Champion Stakes at Ascot next month, was held up by Mosse but could never reach a competitive position on this faster ground and finished a disappointing fourth of six – beaten almost seven lengths.

Okubo said: "He's a horse that weighs about 500 kilos. A big horse physically, he's also very energetic. He also has a raking stride. The pace was different from what he is used to in Japan. He doesn't usually go forward like that… but his jockey let the horse do things at his own pace, and so he managed to go the distance.

"Given a stiffer gallop, he should be in his element in the Arc. He should progress further."

Of Broome, Yasufumi Sawada, the owner's representative, said: "Broome ran very well. The ground was a bit firm and he would appreciate a softer surface. It was a good prep for the Arc."

Berneuil was an impressive winning favourite of the Qatar Prix du Petit Couvert.

Sent off at 2-1 in the Group Three trial for next month's Prix de l'Abbaye here, Carlos Lerner's gelding had finished runner-up in his last three races – at this course and Chantilly.

But under Christophe Soumillon, he was decisively superior to his opponents on his return from a break of more than two months – quickening well clear more than a furlong out and storming to a three-and-a-half-length victory from outsider Collinsbay.

Yann Lerner, representing the trainer, said: "The horse has not run since the end of June – because we have to plan for the Abbaye in three weeks.

"So everybody was very impatient to see him race again – because I think at the beginning of the season, he should already have won his Group race."