RACING:MEANDRE REPAID the faith of trainer Andre Fabre as he thwarted the front-running Seville to land the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp yesterday.

Fabre had supplemented the Slickly colt for the Group One race at a cost of €36,000 earlier in the week, but it proved money well spent as he notched a narrow victory in the hands of Maxime Guyon.

Séamie Heffernan set out to make all aboard Seville, one of three runners for Aidan O’Brien, with stablemate and Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach content to sit in behind him.

The pair built up quite an advantage over the rest of the field and with three furlongs to go, they still had around eight lengths advantage over Meandre in third. However, Guyon was biding his time before getting serious on his mount inside the distance of the mile-and-a-half contest.

As Treasure Beach faded away, Seville tried his best to hang on in front but Meandre came with a telling late burst to land the honours by a length and a half.

Seville hung on for second, while French Derby hero Reliable Man could finish only third with Treasure Beach fourth.

Fabre indicated after the race the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe could be on Meandre’s agenda and both Betfred and William Hill make him a 10 to 1 chance for the autumn highlight.

Despite being beaten, Heffernan was delighted with Seville’s run, particularly as he reversed Irish Derby form with Treasure Beach. “I thought I had it, he ran a good race,” said the rider. “He improved a shade from the Curragh, but a shade wasn’t good enough as there was still one that beat me. He’s tough, genuine and still improving.”

O’Brien was similarly satisfied, adding: “I thought he ran a good race, didn’t he? He will have a break now, he’s had a couple of tough ones but he’s a solid horse.”

Paddy Power make Seville a 6 to 1 chance for the St Leger at Doncaster in September.

Maybe secured a workmanlike victory as she stepped up to Pattern level for the first time in the Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown last night. The Aidan O’Brien-trained filly was as short as 7 to 1 favourite for next year’s 1,000 Guineas after landing the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot last time.

Making the leap from Listed to Group Three company here, Maybe was sent off the 2 to 7 favourite under the trainer’s jockey son Joseph. She looked to be travelling well throughout and tried to assert in the straight of the seven-furlong heat.

O’Brien had to keep the filly up to her work to hit the front but she proved game enough as La Collina went with her and the Ballydoyle filly was a neck to the good at the line.

Jockey Joseph, who put up 3lb overweight, added: “She’s very good. She wasn’t doing a stroke. They didn’t go very quick in front and then they sprinted. It didn’t suit her but she still won easily. She’s as good as there is.”

Maybe remains the 7 to 1 favourite with William Hill for the Guineas.

The O’Brien team were claiming their second winner of the evening after Camelot had earlier opened his account in style in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden. Stan James make the Derrick Smith-owned colt 12 to 1 favourite for next year’s Derby.