The British and Irish stranglehold looked set to continue in the Prix Jean Prat this afternoon with some well-fancied rivals, but it was Good Guess who sprung a surprise by defying odds of 40/1.
The Andrew Balding-trained Chaldean was sent off the 8/11 market leader to get back to winning ways following an excellent second to Paddington in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. Last night's Grade 1 Belmont Oaks winning rider Oisin Murphy was quick to get a prominent position on Chaldean and the Juddmonte-owned colt sat handy behind Sauterne throughout the early stages.
Indestructible and Shouldvebeenaring were prominent towards the near side but as the pace began to quicken the eye was sharply drawn to Good Guess.
Fabrice Chappet's runner quickened up in smart style to burst to the front inside the final furlong and the race was soon put to bed in a matter of strides.
Good Guess seemingly had plenty to find with reopposing rivals having only managed to finish sixth in the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp earlier in the season before finishing second to Breizh Sky last month. However, he certainly showed more when reversing the form with that rival this afternoon and led home a one-two-three for the home contingent with Sauterne sticking to the task well to finish second.
Breizh Sky finished back in third with Karl Burke's Indestructible faring best of the English and Irish challenge in fourth.
Andrew Balding's 2000 Guineas winner backed out of it quickly under Oisin Murphy and was ultimately disappointing.
It was a debut success in the Group 1 contest for jockey Stephane Pasquier who told Sky Sports Racing: "It wasn't really a surprise. This horse is still immature physically. When he won here in the Prix Djebel, he was fantastic and then he still needed to mature and grow up.
"Today the pace was fast enough for me, it is a fantastic victory against fantastic horses.
"I always wanted to ride him close to the pace, but he was slow from the gates. Today was a race where we go straight so I had plenty of time to choose my place and that helped me a lot."
He added: "He can do less and can do more, he is fantastic and can do everything.
"This race is always won by the English and I'm happy to still be riding good horses and doing my job. At my age, it is not easy in France and I'm very happy. I'm riding with passion."
