Classic trials at Longchamp overnight in France featured the seasonal return of the half-brother to The Autumn Sun and he started a short priced favourite and despite losing his unbeaten tag will have lost no admirers with his late charging second.
The Group III Prix la Force (1800m) marked the return of Azimpour, the Aga Khan Studs homebred Dubawi half-brother to The Autumn Sun. He won his debut last year and after settling last in the field for this assignment he charged home late to be second beaten a neck by the Godolphin entry Cualificar trained by Andre Fabre.
Lope de Vega colt Cualificar is now two for two this year after a third and a fourth at his only runs at two. A homebred for Godolphin, he is a three-quarter brother to Group III winner Swing Vote and is the second stakes-winner among three winners from Fastnet Rock’s Group I Epsom Oaks winner Qualify.
The Group III Prix Vanteaux (1800m) was won by Aga Khan Studs homebred filly Mandanaba, who becomes the first stakes-winner for Ghaiyyath, who has shuttled to Darley Victoria for the past four seasons at a fee of $27,500.
Trained by Henri Francis Graffard, Mandanaba won her debut last year at Chantilly and made it two wins in as many starts with a three-quarter length win over Juddmonte Farms Kingman filly Flaming Stone.
She is a half-sister to stakes-winner Mandour and is the second stakes-winner among five winners from triple Group I winner Mandesha.
