Coronet claims first Group One triumph at Saint-Cloud for Gosden and Dettori

Frankie Dettori’s golden summer continued apace when a daring run up the rail gained Coronet a first Group One success in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

The grey mare was beaten a nose in the race 12 months ago by Waldgeist and had continued to perform to a high standard without getting her head in front.

One of two John Gosden-trained runners in the race, Dettori preferred Coronet to Lah Ti Dar and his judgement proved correct – but only just.

It was Ziyad, one of one two runners for the home team in the seven-strong field, who took them along and deep inside the final furlong he was still in front.

Ryan Moore was challenging on Ziyad’s outside on Lah Ti Dar, while Dettori had spied a gap up the far rail on Coronet.

With just strides to go, Coronet poked her nose in front with Ziyad just holding off Lah Ti Dar for second.

Andre Fabre’s Morgan Le Faye found disappointingly little while Aspetar, Marmelo and Thundering Blue failed to get involved having always been in the rear.

Dettori told Sky Sports Racing: “Last year she was just beaten, so we’ve targeted this race all year.

“With Lah Ti Dar in the mix it made it a difficult choice, but this was always Coronet’s objective.

“I had a good draw, a good race and a nice run up the inside which won me the race.

“I was trying to bully my way out at one stage, but then saw a gap up the inside and I dived for that. I knew I was taking a chance, but luckily Maxime (Guyon on Ziyad) didn’t go back to the rail and left it open for me.”

Earlier on the card Gosden and Dettori teamed up to win the Prix de Malleret with Mehdaayih.

Impressive in the Cheshire Oaks at Chester, she was sent off favourite for the Oaks at Epsom but suffered a troubled passage and could only finish seventh behind stablemate Anapurna.

Rather than tackle the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot, Gosden preferred to take extra time with the Frankel filly and sent her to France for this Group Two.

Settled at the rear off a sedate pace set by Merimbula, Mehdaayih briefly came under pressure as Frankie Dettori moved to get closer.

It was not long before she hit the front though, and while Chirstophe Soumillon’s mount Edisa travelled well, she failed to pick up once asked and Mehdaayih coasted over the line for a valuable success.

Gosden told Sky Sports Racing: “He went to Plan B because the idea was to sit very handy, but he missed the break and she was back in last.

“She had to swing wide, but she quickened up very well – she’s got a lot of class. It’s interesting he said she gets unbalanced easily, so no wonder Epsom didn’t suit her.

“I was (concerned) she was out the back because we don’t quicken like the French do, but it’s a lovely straight here. She quickened up well which is a good weapon in her armoury.

“This was the plan after the Oaks. We’ll have a sit down and think because we’ll have to take on the elders now.”

There was further success for the British raiders when Roger Charlton’s Headman handled the step up to Pattern company with ease when winning the Prix Eugene Adam.

Last seen winning the London Gold Cup at Newbury, he was due to run at Royal Ascot but was taken out of the Hampton Court Stakes due to the ground.

Upped to Group Two company, he was a notable winner for Jason Watson, in the early days of his link up with Charlton.

Watson said: “He’s a very nice horse. He ran Flat at the start of the year, but with every run he kept on improving.

“Conditions weren’t ideal, but he crept into the race and won pretty easy.

“These are the horses you want to ride, so I must thank Mr Charlton for putting me up in these big races. It’s my first win here and my first day in France.”

Charlie Appleby had earlier hit the target at Listed level as Art Du Val won the Prix de Saint-Patrick by three-quarters of a length under James Doyle.