Adlerflug's In Swoop On Top at Chantilly

Fresh from a comfortable victory in ParisLongchamp's May 13 Prix d'Hedouville, last term's G1 Deutsches Derby hero and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner-up In Swoop (Ire) (Adlerflug {Ger}) was obliged to work somewhat harder for success in Sunday's G2 Grand Prix de Chantilly. Gestut Schlenderhan's 4-year-old, who also ran second in September's rescheduled G1 Grand Prix de Paris, was settled off a sedate tempo in fifth–with just the slow-starting Nagano Gold (GB) (Sixties Icon {GB}) in arrears–past halfway in this 12-furlong test. Tanking forward to take closer order on the home turn, the 3-5 pick was nudged along for his challenge approaching the two pole and kept on strongly under continued rousting once gaining a narrow advantage passing the furlong marker to deny Prix d'Hedouville third Sublimis (Ire) (Shamardal) and last term's G2 Prix de Malleret victrix Vaucelles (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) by a half length and a neck.

“It was a tactical race as everyone could see and there was no pace or rhythm, which was definitely not in his favour,” said trainer Francis Graffard. “Olivier [Peslier] did well to cover all moves by going forward on the final turn and it was only then that I felt that he had everything under control. He'll never win in spectacular fashion or by a wide margin, but he's getting stronger and stronger. He's certainly more professional in all that he does, his last race did him the world of good and there is more to come. He's entered in all the big races and will head to the [G1] Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and [G1] King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. [at Ascot]. We'll give him a break after that and he'll come back for an autumn campaign with the [G1 Prix de l'] Arc [de Triomphe] in mind.”

In Swoop, half-brother to a 2021 Highland Reel (Ire) filly, is one of three pattern-race winners and the leading performer produced by G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) heroine Iota (Ger) (Tiger Hill {Ire}), who is also the dam of In Swoop's G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern-winning full-brother Ito (Ger) and Group 3 victrix Igraine (Ger) (Galileo {Ire}). Iota is herself kin to G3 Grand Prix Premiere Aufgalopp victor Illo (Ger), G1 Preis von Europa third Ioannina (GB) (Rainbow Quest) and to the dam of G2 Grosser Preis der Badischen Wirtschaft victor Itobo (Ger) (Areion {Ger}). In Swoop's second dam Iora (Ger) (Konigsstuhl {Ger}) is the sole produce out of Listed Festa-Rennen runner-up Incitation (Be My Guest), who in turn is a daughter of Listed Fruhjahrs Stutenpreis victrix Iberica (Ger) (Green Dancer). Descendants of the latter include G2 German 2000 Guineas hero Irian (Ger) (Tertullian) and GSW G1 Preis von Europa runner-up Ibicenco (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}), with this being the dam line of G2 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) heroine Idrissa (Ger) (Tamerlane {GB}).

Sunday, Chantilly, France
GRAND PRIX DE CHANTILLY-G2, €130,000, Chantilly, 6-6, 4yo/up, 12fT, 2:45.37, sf.
1–IN SWOOP (IRE), 126, c, 4, by Adlerflug (Ger)
1st Dam: Iota (Ger), by Tiger Hill (Ire)
2nd Dam: Iora (Ger), by Konigsstuhl (Ger)
3rd Dam: Incitation (Ger), by Be My Guest
O-Gestut Schlenderhan; B-Stall Ullmann (IRE); T-Francis-Henri Graffard; J-Olivier Peslier. €74,100. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 3yo-Eur at 11-14f, G1SW-Ger & MG1SP-Fr, 8-3-3-1, €1,398,630. *Full to Ito (Ger), Hwt. Older Horse-Ger at 11-14f, G1SW-Ger & GSP-Fr, $321,458; and 1/2 to Igraine (Ger) (Galileo {Ire}), GSW-NZ, SW & MGSP-Aus, $218,379; and Iniciar (Ger) (Galileo {Ire}), SP-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Sublimis (Ire), 126, g, 5, Shamardal–Be Fabulous (Ger), by Samum (Ger). O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Andre Fabre. €28,600.
3–Vaucelles (Fr), 122, f, 4, Le Havre (Ire)–Vaunoise (Ire), by Teofilo (Ire). O-Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Franklin Finance SA (FR); T-Pascal Bary. €13,650.
Margins: HF, NK, 1 3/4. Odds: 0.60, 3.60, 3.80.
Also Ran: Lord Achilles (Fr), Nagano Gold (GB), Influx (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.