The Richard Hannon-trained Shouldvebeenaring recorded a well-deserved first Group victory in Sunday’s Prix de Ris-Orangis at Deauville.
The four-year-old colt has been threatening to break through at the highest level since his juvenile campaign, taking the Listed Ripon Champion Two Yes Old Trophy Stakes and adding a second Listed success in the King Charles II Stakes at Newmarket as a three-year-old. Placed in both the Group 1 Haydock Spring Cup and Group 1 Prix de la Foret at the back end of last season, Shouldvebeenaring hit the crossbar again when a nose runner-up in the Group 2 Duke Of York Clipper Stakes in May.
Settled in the midfield during the early stages of the race, the grey was always travelling well under Sean Levey and although he faced some traffic which forced the pair to switch with a furlong and a half to rung, the son of Havana Grey came home strongly. He passed fellow British-trained Electric Storm in the dying strides and held on well for a short neck victory. Archie Watson's Shartash was a further neck behind in third.
"It went very well for him," said Levey.
"He's had some funny ones this year. I think his perfect conditions are this trip on a flat track on fast ground and when he doesn't get what he likes, he can throw in a bad run.
"You could see on his run at York, six furlongs on a flat track, he ran a good race, but then a stiff track at Ascot, he didn't raise a gallop. When he turns up, he can be quite good.
"He's always been a laid-back customer and he didn't miss a dance last year, with every run he went up a couple of kilos, he's always been a good doer. He's maybe older and wiser now too.
"He travelled extremely well today and never looked like losing. He's been here twice and run really well twice, so I imagine the Prix Maurice de Gheest will be on the agenda."
