By Sean Cronin
Zak Bloodstock's G2 Prix Hocquart victor Bubble Gift (Fr) (Nathanial {Ire}), last seen finishing sixth to Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in ParisLongchamp's July 14 G1 Grand Prix de Paris, was yet another weekend winner subjected to the rigours of a stewards' enquiry and doubled his pattern-race tally after an inquest in to Sunday's G2 Prix Niel back at the Bois de Boulogne venue. The 22-5 chance, who also posted a runner-up finish in Chantilly's June 20 G3 Prix du Lys in his penultimate start, was the last of five into stride and employed patient tactics from the outset of this 12-furlong Arc trial. Bustled along in early straight, he made continued headway into second entering the final furlong and stayed on relentlessly under a late drive to oust familiar foe Baby Rider (Fr) (Gleneagles {Ire}) by a nose on the line.
“That was close and I thought he'd finished second, so it was a nice surprise when the result was announced,” said winning trainer Mikel Delzangles. “He was in very good condition leading up to this comeback and I expected him to run a really good race. He's in the [Oct. 3 G1 Prix de l'] Arc [de Triomphe back over this course and distance], but it will probably be an extremely tough race. We'll not make any decision just yet and I'll go home and discuss plans with the owners.”
Pascal Bary was similarly non-committal on the plans for runner-up Baby Rider and added, “It's tough to lose it on the line, but he ran a great race. He's in the Arc and I shall talk to the owner before coming to a final decision.”
Bubble Gift is the last known foal bred from Bubble Back (Fr) (Grand Lodge), whose five winners include G3 Darley S.-winning G1 Prix du Jockey Club second Bubble Chic (Fr) (Chichicastenango {Fr}), last week's G3 Prix Gladiateur victor Bubble Smart (GB) (Intello {Ger) and Listed Prix Charles Laffitte second Queen Bubble (Ire) (Layman). Queen Bubble is the dam of Listed Prix Delahante and Listed La Coupe de Marseille scorer King Bubble (Ire) (Kendargent {Fr}). Bubble Back is a half-sister to Listed Prix Maurice Caillault victrix Anacarde (Fr) (Anabaa Blue {GB}) and is a granddaughter of Rive du Sud (Nureyev), herself the dam of G3 Prix des Reservoirs winner Comillas (Fr) (Kaldoun {Fr}) and the second dam of G1 Prix Jean Prat hero Rouvres (Fr) (Anabaa) and GIII Jaipur S. victor Right One (Fr) (Anabaa). Bubble Gift's stakes-winning fourth dam Riviere Doree (Secretariat) is a daughter of MG1SW G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Riverqueen (Fr) (Luthier {Fr}).
Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
QATAR PRIX NIEL-G2, €130,000, ParisLongchamp, 9-12, 3yo, 12fT, 2:34.63, gd.
1–BUBBLE GIFT (FR), 128, c, 3, by Nathaniel (Ire)
1st Dam: Bubble Back (Fr), by Grand Lodge
2nd Dam: Genuine (Fr), by Generous (Ire)
3rd Dam: Rive du Sud, by Nureyev
O-Zak Bloodstock; B-Ali Hakam (FR); T-Mikel Delzangles; J-Gerald Mosse. €74,100. Lifetime Record: 7-3-2-0, €185,580. *1/2 to Bubble Chic (Fr) (Chichicastenango {Fr}), Hwt. 3yo-Fr at 9.5-11f, GSW-Eng, MSW-HK & MG1SP-Fr, $1,499,465; Bubble Smart (GB) (Intello {Ger), GSW-Fr, $140,464; and Queen Bubble (Ire) (Layman), SP-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Baby Rider (Fr), 128, c, 3, Gleneagles (Ire)–Gyrella (Ire), by Oasis Dream (GB). (220,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Ecurie Jean-Louis Bouchard; B-Aliette & Gilles Forien (FR); T-Pascal Bary. €28,600.
3–Timour (Fr), 128, c, 3, Gleneagles (Ire)–Rock My Soul (Ire), by Clodovil (Ire). O-OTI Management (Pty) Ltd & Mme Emmanuel de Seroux; B-Ecurie Peregrine SAS (FR); T-Andre Fabre. €13,650.
Margins: NO, 1HF, NK. Odds: 4.40, 4.00, 7.40.
Also Ran: Media Stream (GB), Pretty Tiger (Ire). Scratched: Bolshoi Ballet (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.
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