French Oaks: AQUARELLISTE maintained her unbeaten record with a sweeping late challenge to land the Prix de Diane Hermes (French Oaks) at Chantilly yesterday.
The Daniel Wildenstein-owned filly got the better of Frankie Dettori's locally-trained mount Nadia by one and a half lengths, with John Dunlop's Time Away (Pat Eddery) three-quarters of a length back in third.
The other British challenger, the Mick Channon-trained Arhaaff finished seventh of the 12 starters in the fillies' classic.
It was a bitterly-ironic result for France's leading trainer Andre Fabre, whose Spring Oak finished fourth.
Aquarelliste had been entered in the race when trained by Fabre but was one of the 42 horses removed from his stable a few weeks ago after a breakdown of communications with Wildenstein.
Now trained by Elie Lellouche, the style of yesterday's victory, in which the 1.8-1 favourite came from last to first under Dominique Boeuf, prompted the owner's son Alec to comment: "Aquarelliste could be another Allez France, who won the 1974 Arc amongst many other races for us.
"Her targets are now likely to be the Prix de la Nonette followed by the Prix Vermeille and then if all goes well the Arc."
Belmont Stakes: The Bob Baffert-trained Point Given followed up last month's Preakness Stakes win with an emphatic victory in the last leg of the US triple crown on Saturday, powering clear in the straight to beat AP Valentine by 12 1/4 lengths.
A big crowd at Belmont included former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary.
Dr Greenfield's bid for the race ended in disappointment. The British colt, a winner at Kempton and Chester this spring, was very reluctant to enter the stalls, lost ground at the start and never threatened to challenge. [SBX]
Clonmel Report: Barry Geraghty took the riding honours at Clonmel yesterday when completing a double aboard Mail Man and Bachelors Bar.
Edward O'Grady has his string in top form at present, and Mail Man added to the total when sent past Catch The Dragon on the run-in to score by three-quarters of a length in the Brian Winston Maiden Hurdle.
Bachelors Bar jumped to the front at the penultimate fence in the Templetuohy Farm Machinery Handicap Chase, and Geraghty could afford to take it easy in the closing stages to record a two and a half lengths success over Castlerueanna.
Willie Callaghan partnered his first winner when getting Society Blue up in virtually the final stride for a surprise victory in the White Sands Catering Handicap Hurdle. Callaghan, 20, from Cobh, has been with trainer Michael Hourigan for over three years and the Patrickswell trainer said: "I'm delighted for Willie as he is a great worker in the yard." [SBX]
Navan Report: 1999 Galway Hurdle hero Quinze returned to winning ways when defying top-weight in the £25,000 Lark Developments Handicap Hurdle at Navan yesterday.
Off the track for 17 months with leg trouble, the eight-year-old made a promising comeback at Roscommon recently and had obviously come on considerably for that outing.
Josh Byrne, riding his first winner for the stable following a spell in England, had his partner in the perfect position throughout and the pair were always holding the late challenge of favourite Patriot Games. [SBX]
Ballinrobe Preview: The start of two days at Ballinrobe get under way this evening, and Conor O'Dwyer could be the rider to follow in two of the jump races, writes Brian O'Connor.
The Gold Cup-winning rider is on Arthur Moore's Hot Shots in the beginners' chase, and this one's Navan third to Young Whack should be good enough against Raunchy, who has been off the track since the winter.
O'Dwyer could also figure on Ephony Lady in the handicap hurdle, although the Cork winner, Listenlads, could be a danger off a reasonable weight.
Charlie Swan can be on the mark in the bumper with the Clonmel runner-up, African Waters, while last season's champion apprentice, Tom Queally, looks a significant booking for the course winner Flying Boat in the nine-furlong handicap.
