JEAN-PAUL Gallorini did not have to wait long for his Grade 1 winner and Jacques Ricou had a real armchair ride on the filly Kotkikova in the Prix Ferdinand Dufaure.

Always well up, she had the race in the bag before the straight and eventually won by 12 lengths from Kobrouk and Karelcytic.

The daughter of Martaline has now won eight of her 10 races and never been out of the first three. Gallorini reported: “She is out of the ordinary and simply the best.”

Analifet ran a sound race for Bryan Cooper in the Listed Prix d’Arles Presente Par Ela. The mare stayed on to finish second but had no chance with the winner Turteene (gave 7lb) who won easily by six lengths.

Mullins commented: “Analifet jumped very well and I think it was one of her best efforts this year. There are not many races for her and next year she could go chasing.” The winner could go for the Grande Course de Haies or more likely make her debut in a chase.

A well-backed favourite, Perfect Gentleman ran fourth in the Gras Savoye Hipcover-Prix Marechal Foch in the hands of Patrick Mullins. He was putting in his best work at the finish and just pinched fourth place on the line behind the narrow winner Marinas.