3 minute read

The Fixer (11/2) books a trip to Royal Ascot following impressive all-the-way success in Listed Prix la Fleche at Chantilly.

It was a race full of early drama as jockey Christophe Soumillon was left no chance of staying on board his mount, Dance Sioux (9/2), after she veered badly left leaving the stalls. The Belgium-born rider was unseated but walked away unscathed.

There were no such dramas for Mickael Barzalona on The Fixer, however, who dictated matters out in front as soon as the gates opened. The pair travelled sweetly throughout showing bundles of early pace and the race looked sewn up a long way out as The Fixer kicked clear approaching the final furlong. The son of No Nay Never was eased down in the closing stages to beat a running on Flers (11/2) by a comfortable half a length.

The Karl Burke-trained Dorothy Lawrence was sent off the 13/8 market leader on the back of her second-place finish in the Marygate at York but in all truth, she never looked like laying a glove on the runaway leader and finished a further two-lengths behind in third.

Speaking with Sky Sports Racing's Katherine Ford after the race trainer Francis-Henri Graffard said: "Last time was a very difficult experience for the owners of the horse. He banged himself in the stalls and he was completely knocked out so finished fourth with a bad action, so I was very worried. I didn't change my programme though and it was always the plan to come here."

"The horse had trained on well coming into that. He proved he has a lot of speed."

"He won on very soft ground, but I think he has a very high cruising speed."

"It's just a relief to see him performing like that after his bad run last time."

When asked about a potential trip to Royal Ascot the trainer added: "Well five furlongs is his trip. Definitely. We don't have much option in France, but he's just won a Listed race and I think he will go to Ascot."