The French Derby now the aim for brave Rivet

TRAINER William Haggas will return to France in three weeks for a second shot at a Classic with Rivet after the colt agonisingly just missed out when third in yesterday’s French 2,000 Guineas. Haggas will target the French Derby over an extra two furlongs at Chantilly with the colt partowned by his fatherin-law Lester Piggott. Rivet led in the Abu Dhabi Poule D’Essai Des Poulains under Frankie Dettori but, in the final furlong, was unable to muster an extra gear as Jean-Claude Rougettrained short-head winner Brametot and runner-up Le Brivido swamped him. Rivet was beaten just over three lengths. It was a second Classic near-miss of the weekend for Haggas after his filly Sea of Grace had been runner-up in Saturday’s French 1,000 Guineas. But Haggas insisted pride in his runners rather than frustration was his overwhelming emotion. Haggas, who will aim Sea of Grace at the Irish 1,000 Guineas, said: ‘These races are hard to win. They have both run with credit and will get better. Rivet is a strong galloping horse. ‘He put the others to bed but the first and second were just a bit quicker. ‘We will come back for the (French) Derby. We must try to see what he is like over a mile and a quarter.’ Piggott added: ‘Rivet is a nice horse and he should keep on improving.’ Rivet will face a rematch with Cristian Demuro-ridden Brametot in the French Derby. British raiders did not leave Deauville empty handed as Charlie Appleby’s Sobetsu was a clearcut three-length winner of the Group One Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary under William Buick. Sobetsu had returned a sick horse when fifth to Rhododendron in last season’s Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket. A soft racing surface is key to Sobetsu but she could head to the English Oaks at Epsom. Her alternative is the French Oaks. A horse that is Epsom-bound is John Gosden-trained Prix Saint-Alary third Coronet. Meanwhile, Gosden has reaffirmed support for his jockey Rab Havlin, who is legally challenging a six-month ban from France Galop for testing positive for cocaine while riding on October 30. French racing authorities insist they are confident in their case, while Havlin continues to protest his innocence, claiming the only products he used were painkillers for his back. Gosden said: ‘Rab is a good friend. If he’d screwed up, he’d be first to tell me.’