By Sean Cronin
Inns of Court, who graduated going seven panels at Chantilly in his sole freshman start Nov. 15, doubled his tally at Saint-Cloud in his Apr. 11 sophomore return before running sixth in the May 14 G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains here and went off as the odds-on chalk for this coming back from a win in Maisons-Laffitte's June 3 G3 Prix du Palais-Royal. Improving on a share of third to move into a stalking second at halfway, he launched his bid inside the final quarter mile to lead approaching the eighth pole and was ridden out in the latter stages to hold African Ride for a second black-type score. “He wasn't as impressive as last time, but I had to commit earlier than I wanted to and he responded very well when threatened [by African Ride] on his outside,” said winning rider Mickael Barzalona. “He has now won twice at this level and his only disappointment was when his saddle slipped after doing too much in front in the Poulains. He's a very good horse and I imagine he'll now go back up in class. I'm sure his entourage will know what to do with him.”
Saturday, Deauville, France
PRIX DE LA PORTE MAILLOT-G3, €80,000, DVL, 7-1, 3yo/up, 7fT, 1:24.26, sf.
1–INNS OF COURT (IRE), 123, c, 3, by Invincible Spirit (Ire)
1st Dam: Learned Friend (Ger), by Seeking the Gold
2nd Dam: Lune d'Or (Fr), by Green Tune
3rd Dam: Lune d'Or (Fr), by Noir et Or (GB)
O-Godolphin SNC; B-Darley (IRE); T-Andre Fabre; J-Mickael Barzalona. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-0, €106,500. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–African Ride (GB), 120, c, 3, Candy Ride (Arg)#tot">Candy Ride (Arg)–Paiota Falls, by Kris S.. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (GB); T-Carlos Laffon-Parias. €16,000.
3–Aladdine (GB), 120, f, 3, Naaqoos (GB)–Katerini (Fr), by Cacique (Ire). O-Mme Frederic Head; B-I D Fair (GB); T-Freddy Head. €12,000.
Margins: 3/4, 2, 2. Odds: 0.50, 4.10, 4.20.
Also Ran: Johnny Barnes (Ire), Princess Asta (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
The homebred bay is the leading performer produced by a daughter of G1 Premio Lydia Tesio-winning Italian highweight Lune d'Or (Fr) (Green Tune) and his third dam is MGSP Listed Grand Prix de Compiegne victess Luth d'Or (Fr) (Noir et Or {GB}), herself a half-sister to MG1SW French champion miler Luth Enchantee (Fr) (Be My Guest).
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