FITNESS certainly played a role in the result of the Prix Noailles, which Andre Fabre was winning for the 11th time at Chantilly on Sunday. Soleil Marin was probably not the first choice from the stable but ran out a game winner of this Group 3 race.

He had been bought by Godolphin after he won a listed race for Fabre at Saint-Cloud in March. Ridden by Mickael Barzalona, Soleil Marin led one out before being collared by stablemate and hot favourite Akihiro.