PRIX MORNY:DAVID SIMCOCK is eyeing further Group One prizes for Dream Ahead after he blew away the opposition in the yesterday's Prix Morny at Deauville.
The youngster created a favourable impression when making a winning racecourse debut at Nottingham last month, but even Simcock admitted it was a huge leap of faith to step the colt up to Group One company.
The 8 to 1 chance travelled strongly throughout the six-furlong contest and moved up stylishly to challenge at the furlong marker.
Once given the hurry-up by William Buick, who guided Debussy to win the Arlington Million in Chicago less than 24 hours earlier, Dream Ahead quickly put the race to bed and passed the post comfortably ahead of Tin Horse.
Richard Hannon’s Libranno was handily placed early on but faded in the closing stages. Godolphin’s Al Aasifh, the Mick Channon-trained Soraaya and John Hills’s Irish Field failed to land a blow. “It was a very good performance and he was very professional,” said Simcock. “He has plenty of ability and plenty of speed, he did it very nicely – it was cosy in the end.
“He’s always shown us he’s got plenty of ability. We probably took the brave route coming here after just one run, but we talked about it on Monday and decided we’d have a go.
“We’ll see how he is, but I would say we’ll look at the Middle Park Stakes and the Dewhurst. That’s for further down the line, though.”
Simcock also had a word of praise for owner Khalifa Dasmal, whose colours were carried to Derby glory at Epsom in 1996 by Shaamit.
He added: “It’s fantastic to have a Group One winner and I’m probably most grateful to the owner, who has probably been my longest serving owner.”
Paddy Power introduced Dream Ahead into next year’s 2000 Guineas betting at 16 to 1.
Stacelita pulled out all the stops to repel Antara in the Darley Prix Jean Romanet. Stacelita was sent off the even-money favourite and hit the front at the top of the straight under Christophe Soumillon.