By Tom Frary
Gifted the rail and an easy lead, Jacques Cygler's The Summit (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) punished his rivals under a perfectly-judged ride from Pierre-Charles Boudot in ParisLongchamp's G3 Prix de Fontainebleau. With the benefit of a prior outing in 2020, albeit Mar. 15 when second in Saint-Cloud's Listed Prix Omnium II, the bay whose best piece of form last year came when third in the nine-furlong G3 Prix de Conde coasted along completely unpressured to three out. As the 2-5 favourite Victor Ludorum (GB) (Shamardal) failed to find cover on the outer and became lit up running downhill, the 24-1 outsider surged clear from the two-furlong pole en route to a 1 3/4-length success. Ecrivain (Fr) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) finished off best of the patiently-ridden horses to be second, 3/4 of a length ahead of a one-paced Victor Ludorum in third.
“He had shown some quality at two and had done very well over the winter,” winning trainer Henri-Alex Pantall explained. “Physically, he is stronger and had run a very good race in the Omnium earlier this year when Boudot was very gentle with him, thinking of the future. He had come on a lot for the run that day and is a horse we'll have fun with this season. He's very easy to ride and very relaxed. He'll be back for the [G1 Poule d'Essai des] Poulains and we'll hope.”
Godolphin's Lisa-Jane Graffard said of the beaten favourite, “Victor Ludorum looked to be very ring-rusty but both Andre and Mickael were happy enough with his performance. Provided he comes out of the race well, he will head to the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains [at ParisLongchamp June 1] en route to hopefully contesting the G1 Prix du Jockey Club.”
The Summit, who had been held up in the Prix de Conde at Chantilly and when subsequently fifth as the favourite for the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud attempting 10 furlongs, appeared to benefit from being in front on this occasion. Able to employ the turn of acceleration his sire employed to such deadly effect in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, he hails from a family with some notable sprinters. The second dam Wardara (GB) (Sharpo {GB}) took the Listed Prix Hampton and Listed Prix Cor de Chasse and was second in the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene before producing the G2 King's Stand S. hero Chineur (Fr) (Fasliyev). She is also the ancestress of the G3 Prix du Petit Couvert winner Dibajj (Fr) (Iffraaj {GB}) and the Listed Prix Bonneval scorer Iffranesia (Fr). Acola (Fr) (Acatenango {Ger}), whose One One One (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) was listed-placed, also has an as-yet unnamed 2-year-old colt by Bow Creek (Ire) and a yearling filly by The Grey Gatsby (Ire).
Monday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DE FONTAINEBLEAU-G3, €56,000, ParisLongchamp, 5-11, 3yo, c/g, 8fT, 1:42.51, vsf.
1–THE SUMMIT (FR), 128, c, 3, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Acola (Fr), by Acatenango (Ger)
2nd Dam: Wardara (GB), by Sharpo (GB)
3rd Dam: Ward One (GB), by Mr Fluorocarbon (GB)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€16,000 Ylg '18 AROCT). O-Mme Jacques Cygler; B-SARL Jedburgh Stud (FR); T-Henri-Alex Pantall; J-Pierre-Charles Boudot. €28,000. Lifetime Record: 6-2-1-1, €67,150. *1/2 to One One One (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), SP-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Ecrivain (Fr), 128, c, 3, Lope de Vega (Ire)–Sapphire Pendant (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (FR); T-Carlos Laffon-Parias. €11,200.
3–Victor Ludorum (GB), 128, c, 3, Shamardal–Antiquities (GB), by Kaldounevees (Fr). O/B-Godolphin; T-Andre Fabre. €8,400.
Margins: 1 3/4, 3/4, SHD. Odds: 24.10, 7.50, 0.40.
Also Ran: Kenway (Fr), Pisanello (Ire), Helter Skelter (Fr), Memory Dream (Fr), Devil (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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