Grand Prix de Paris: Leffard denies Trinity School in Longchamp thriller | Racing Information

Jean-Claude Rouget returned to the Group One winner’s enclosure as Leffard obtained as much as deny Trinity School in a pulsating end to the Cygagames Grand Prix de Paris at ParisLongchamp.

The twin Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-winning coach – who has had well being battles and seen his string a lot lowered during the last 12 months – was clearly emotional after Cristian Demuro put Leffard’s head down proper on the road to edge out Aidan O’Brien’s Trinity School.

Ryan Moore and Trinity School had tracked Frankly Good Cen earlier than switching out and displaying a wise flip of foot, one which seemed like it could seal issues. That was not counting for Leffard, nevertheless, and he too picked up in nice model when requested to go away the pair battling out.

After the shortest of waits, Leffard – who holds an Arc entry – was introduced the winner, placing a below-par effort within the Prix du Jockey Membership – wherein Trinity School had been fourth earlier than successful at Royal Ascot – behind him and totally justifying the choice to complement for the Paris showpiece.

Rouget instructed Sky Sports activities Racing: “It was implausible once I noticed the horse coming. I used to be very assured there was not an enormous distinction between the 2 (Leffard and Trinity School).

“I knew he was excellent, however I needed to discover a new confidence in him (after the Prix du Jockey-Membership). He was so properly this week and the sphere was not large I made a decision to complement him. Once I noticed six runners, it was doable to be third and we did higher.

“I believe sure (he’s an Arc horse), as a result of once I purchased him I used to be certain I purchased a very good horse.

It is a large fairytale, life continues and we do different issues.

Qilin Queen flooring Sunly for Group Two honours

Qilin Queen held off scorching favorite Sunly to proceed a effective season for coach Ed Walker with Group Two glory within the Cygames Prix de Malleret.

Final seen disappointing within the Oaks at Epsom, the Pinatubo filly took it up early on within the mile-and-a-half affair, after briefly disputing it with Miss Of Change, and proved tremendously recreation beneath a effective journey from Kieran Shoemark.

Unbeaten in three prior profession begins, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained, Juddmonte-owned Sunly took a bit time to seek out high gear for Colin Keane and whereas she tried onerous, Qilin Queen refused to present method.

Walker instructed Sky Sports activities Racing: “She was very robust at Newbury when she gained the Oaks trial, then we went to the Oaks which was the plan, however once we walked the monitor it was softer than we hoped. However whenever you’re there and all able to go it is fairly onerous to scratch.

“We did not know she would not like smooth floor, though we have been very suspicious she would not prefer it and because it turned out she was simply wheel spinning coming down the hill. She was overwhelmed a good distance out and Tom (Marquand) did a fantastic job in taking care of her.

“She was very robust right this moment again on a galloping monitor on quick floor. Like all people we in all probability thought Sunly was unbeatable, we thought the one technique to beat her was to nick it and I believe Kieran nailed it.

“Once they challenged I knew the race wasn’t over, as a result of she is hard.”

He added on future plans: “Floor might be an element, however she’s in all the things and we’ll go the place the bottom is correct, 10 or 12 furlongs. She’s a Group Two winner so it needs to be Group Ones. It is very thrilling.”

Graffard had higher luck earlier on the cardboard, as Sibayan rewarded favourite-backers within the Prix Maurice de Nieuil, though not with no scare within the course of.

Stepping as much as a mile and three-quarters for the primary time, having been second in Group Two and Three firm beforehand this season at a mile and a half, the Aga Khan Studs-owned gelding travelled in direction of the rear beneath Mickael Barzalona and there was a second on the two-furlong marker that noticed him worryingly trapped behind runners.

The hole finally got here, nevertheless, and he was good sufficient to take it, beating Internaute and Double Main with one thing in hand.

Barzalona admitted: “I believed the hole would come sooner than it did, however he is a beautiful horse. It was his first time over the journey and in opposition to older horses, so that’s good for the longer term.”