UK: Brits Strike Out In France

Anticipated fared best of the four British raiders as Vorda took her unbeaten record to three in the Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte.

Richard Hannon's colt could only finish fifth after being well placed throughout by Richard Hughes in the five-and-a-half-furlong Group Two contest.

Anticipated overturned Royal Ascot form with Extortionist, but Olly Stevens' Windsor Castle winner was a big disappointment. The free-travelling colt was never in the hunt after being slowly away and finished last.

Mick Channon's Ambiance was sixth, while the Jo Hughes-trained Lady Chantilly never came close to troubling the judge.

Up front, the Philippe Sogorb-trained Vorda (3-1 favourite) quickened well between horses under Gregor Benoist to score by a length and a half from Omaticaya, with Vedeux third.

Stevens felt the lack of pace led to Extortionist's downfall.

The Surrey trainer said: "The horse is fine. He got keen early on and didn't run his race at all. I think it's a race we will draw a line through and have a rethink. We'll probably go back to five and we plan to work towards the Cornwallis (at Ascot) at the end of the year. There was no pace and he just got keen in behind it. He didn't do himself any favours."

The Hughes-trained Glacial Age was also out of luck in the Group Two Prix Eugene Adam, fading into sixth place after attempting to make all the running in the 10-furlong contest.

Andre Fabre's Pilote struck the front in the closing stages, but stable companion Triple Threat cut him down in the hands of Pierre-Charles Boudot to win impressively by two lengths and seal a one-two for the yard.


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