Olivier Peslier, the golden boy of French racing, completed a group double at muddy Longchamp yesterday culminating with Amilynx's clear-cut success in the French St Leger, the Prix Royal-Oak.
Despite encountering traffic problems, Amilynx (2 to 1) collared the gallant Tajoun and mastered him by a length and a half in the Group One race.
Very much a three-year-old on the upgrade, Amilynx was following up an impressive success in the Group Two Prix Hubert de Chaudenay three weeks earlier.
Jean-Luc Lagardere, his owner-breeder, said: "The horse has shown the qualities of a champion and he will kept in training next season".
The Aga Khan's Tajoun held on to second by half a length from John Dunlop's strong-finishing Leggera.
However, Leggera was later disqualified and placed last as Richard Quinn was underweight on returning to the scales.
James Fanshawe's Arctic Owl was last of the septet, but was later moved up a place on the disqualification of Leggera.
Earlier, Xavier Nakkachdji, a former assistant of Amlynx's trainer Andre Fabre, enjoyed one of his best career moments with Manzor (53 to 10) in the Group Three Prix du Petit Couvert (5f).
The sole two-year-old in the race, Manzor, well suited by conditions, came from last to first to master Nuclear Debate by three parts of a length.
Malcolm Saunders's Repertory (Russell Price) was a creditable third four lengths further back. A position he had also filled last year.
Sakha (Richard Hills) set the tone for Dunlop's gallic fortunes by finishing fifth.
Longchamp Sunday
Prix Du Petit Couvert (Gr 3) (2-y-olds & up), £23,681. 5f. 1 Manzor; 2 NuclearDebate; 3 Repertory. 9 ran. X Nakkachdji. Time: 1m 0.6s. Dist: 3/4l, 4l, hd. Pari-Mutuel (inc 1F stake): Win 6.30; places 2.10, 1.80, 3.80. DF 22.30.
Prix Royal Oak (Gr 1) (3-y-olds & up), £43,057. 1m 71/2f. 1 Amilynx; 2 Tajoun; 3 Northerntowm. Leggera was third past the post, but was later disqualified and placed last by the stewards. 7 ran. A Fabre. 11/2l, 1/2l, 6l. Pari-Mutuel: Win 3.00; places 1.80, 1.60. SF 11.10.
