Irish raiders filled the first three places in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud, but not in the order the betting market predicted as Aidan O’Brien’s Los Angeles kept on best.
What a finish! Los Angeles wins the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud for Aidan O’Brien and Christophe Soumillon…
— Sky Sports Racing (@SkySportsRacing) October 22, 2023
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Christophe Soumillon’s mount benefitted from coming up the stands side rail to see off the Joseph O’Brien-trained Islandsinthestream and claim Group 1 glory over 10 furlongs at odds of 67/10.
The winner’s stablemate Illinois was a close-up third under Ryan Moore after being sent off the 19/10 joint-favourite alongside Islandsinthestream.
“He’s a very big horse and you would imagine he’s going to be a better horse next year,” said O’Brien of the Camelot colt on Sky Sports Racing.
“We felt the experience would do him good here and Christophe said he picked up very well.
“He said he wasn’t changing his legs throughout the race, so that’s why he was a little bit worried, so obviously he’s very babyish. But he said when he did get him to change his legs, he really picked up for him.
“I’d say Joseph’s horse is a good colt and Ryan’s horse has run a stormer as well, so they are obviously good colts.
“I asked Christophe how good could he be and he said he could be a classic horse, so it’s something to look forward to.
“He said he could get a mile and a half, so that’s good. He’d only had one run before this, so it’s all very promising and good experience.”
Village Voice showed plenty of spirit when rallying late on to edge out Manisha in the Group 3 Prix De Flore for Jessica Harrington.
Great start for the Irish!
— Sky Sports Racing (@SkySportsRacing) October 22, 2023
Village Voice takes the Group Three Prix de Flore at Saint-Cloud for @Jessica_Racing and @CristianDemuro…
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The three-year-old was headed at the furlong pole but Cristian Demuro conjured up a renewed effort from his mount, with the stands rail again proving an assistance.
“It was important (having the rail) because the ground is very heavy,” said the jockey of the 13/10 favourite.
“I was supposed to stay behind the lead but the pace was very slow, so I went forward with her. The horse next to me put me under a bit of pressure but she’s a good filly and did it easily. It’s a pleasure to ride this kind of filly.”
There was a second Group 1 race on the Saint-Cloud card in the shape of the Criterium International over a mile and this was won by the David Menuisier-trained Sunway, ridden by Oisin Murphy.
Local favourite Alcantor (Andre Fabre) was a close second, the pair clear of Aidan O'Brien's Portland, the mount of Christophe Soumillon.
Quality ride! @oismurphy gets his tactics just right as Sunway wins the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud for @DavidMenuisier…
— Sky Sports Racing (@SkySportsRacing) October 22, 2023
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Menuisier and Murphy doubled up later in the day when Caius Chorister won a Group 3 race.
What a day for @oismurphy and @DavidMenuisier!
— Sky Sports Racing (@SkySportsRacing) October 22, 2023
Doubles up at Saint-Cloud as Caius Chorister wins the Group Three Prix Belle de Nuit…
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