Batwan in front as horse racing resumes at ParisLongchamp
Batwan swooped late to land the Prix de Saint-Georges at ParisLongchamp as French racing resumed yesterday following the coronavirus shutdown.
The sport had been hold since March and despite a lastminute threat to the action on Friday, the authorities gave the go-ahead for France Galop to restart racing behind closed doors.
Strict social distancing and hygiene measures are in place on track, with all jockeys wearing masks to race along with the limited personnel on track.
Racing was kicking off 24 hours after what should have been French Guineas weekend, but Olivier Delloye, chief executive of France Galop, was delighted to see the sport resume.
He tweeted: "Certainly we run behind closed doors. Certainlywe are competing in Fontainebleau the day after the Poules... But what satisfaction to see this first race finally arriving. Thank you to the great teams of France Ga lop for their incredible work and thank you to all of you for supporting us."
As for the race itself, Se s ti lio Jet was bidding to defend his title in the Group Three heat, but he was under pressure some way out as Batwan, who finished second last year, was settled in third through the early stages. Maxime Guyon's mount hit the front inside the final furlong, edging in front at the line to win on his first outing in an exactly a year.
Shinning Ocean put up a fine front-running performance to run out a cosy winner of the Prix d'Escoville.
Trained by Christophe Ferland, Shinning Ocean got a well-judged ride from Christophe Soumillion, setting the early fractions before kicking for home in the straight.
Shinning Ocean found plenty when asked and Sou mill on was able to eased own before the line in the mile heat.
Tropbeau advertised her Classic credentials with victory in the Prix de la Grotte.
Having been third to Millisle and Raffle Prize in the Cheveley Park Stakes last season, the Andre Fabre-trained filly brought the strongest form credentials to the Group Three contest, but had been expected to face a test from Khayza ra an.
The Freddy Head-trained runner jumped out in front only to empty alarmingly two furlongs from home and ultimately finish heavily eased at the rear of the field. Up front, Tropbeau answered every question for Mickael Barzalona when hitting the front, narrowly accounting for Dream And Do and Tickle Me Green.