By Sean Cronin
Gestut Schlenderhan's homebred Alson (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), who spanked his sole rival Armory (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by 20 lengths for Jean-Pierre Carvalho in last term's G1 Criterium International, returned from a brief spell on the sideline to resume winning ways in Friday's Listed Prix Matchem at Saint-Cloud. He had hit the board in Deauville's staging of the June 1 G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains on seasonal return this year, but finished a lowly 10th of 11 on his return to the Normandy venue in the July 12 G1 Prix Jean Prat last time. Employing patient tactics stalking all four opponents until turning for home here, the 3-5 favourite was sent wide with three for company into the straight and kept on strongly under mild coaxing once gaining an edge passing the eighth pole to outpoint Real Force (GB) (Lethal Force {Ire}) by an ultimately comfortable three lengths for a third pattern-race score.
“After an extended break, this was the perfect spot for a Group 1 winner to return to racing and he has lived up to expectations,” said winning rider Pierre-Charles Boudot. “He won well and this will help him improve his condition and boost his confidence. There is no doubt that he will go on to better things from here.”
Alson, one of two scorers for dual winner Assisi (Ger) (Galileo {Ire}) and the leading representative for his sire (by Big Shuffle), is kin to G2 German 2000 Guineas and G2 Oettingen-Rennen hero Ancient Spirit (Ger) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), the hitherto untried 2-year-old colt Agnelli (Ire) (Guiliani {Ire}) and a weanling filly by Zarak (Fr). The homebred bay's unbeaten G1 Preis der Diana-winning second dam Amarette (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) produced two stakes performers and is herself a full-sister to G1 Prix du Jockey Club third Arras (Ger) and a half to the stakes-winning dam of G1 Melbourne Cup and G1 H E Tancred S. hero Almandin (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) and G2 Gerling-Preis victor Atempo (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}).
Friday, Saint-Cloud, France
PRIX MATCHEM-Listed, €38,000, Saint-Cloud, 10-2, 3yo, 7fT, 1:30.52, vhy.
1–ALSON (GER), 126, c, 3, by Areion (Ger)
1st Dam: Assisi (Ger), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Amarette (Ger), by Monsun (Ger)
3rd Dam: Avocette (Ger), by Kings Lake
O/B-Gestut Schlenderhan (GER); T-Andre Fabre; J-Pierre-Charles Boudot. €19,000. Lifetime Record: 9-5-1-1, €349,159.
2–Real Force (GB), 126, g, 3, Lethal Force (Ire)–Real Me (GB), by Mark of Esteem (Ire). (19,000gns Wlg '17 TATFOA; €15,000 Ylg '18 TIRSEP). O-Lance Bloodstock Ltd; B-Peter Onslow (GB); T-Gerard O'Leary. €7,600.
3–Crew Dragon (Fr), 126, c, 3, Poet's Voice (GB)–Vintage Red (Fr), by Turtle Bowl (Ire). (€75,000 RNA Ylg '18 ARAUG). O/B-Berend van Dalfsen (FR); T-Mauricio Delcher Sanchez. €5,700.
Margins: 3, 3HF, HD. Odds: 0.60, 4.00, 7.00.
Also Ran: Restiany (GB), Arapaho (Fr). Scratched: Digression (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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