Barzalona lands success with Well Of Wisdom at France meet

There was more joy in France this season for Charlie Appleby as his Well Of Wisdom made most of the running to take the seven-furlong Prix Roland de Chambure at Longchamp, France, on Sunday.

Appleby actually ran two in the race, with James Doyle on Saqqara King – who faded to finish third.

Mickael Barzalona was on Well Of Wisdom, who was last seen finishing ninth in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“I can’t say I expected them to finish in that order,” said Appleby.

“I thought Saqqara King would quicken past him, but he’s seen it out really well.

“I had thought Saqqara King would win here and then go on to Deauville, so I’ll probably do that with the winner now! I think Saqqara King needs further.”

Jalmoud acquitted himself well on his G1 debut when taking third in the Grand Prix de Paris, with Roman Candle finishing fourth in the 12-furlong highlight at Longchamp.

Three-year-old New Approach colt Jalmoud (Appleby/ Doyle) broke well and raced in a clear second behind Western Australia, as Roman Candle (Andre Fabre/ Barzalona) settled in fifth of the eight runners.

Jalmoud stayed on to briefly press for the lead with a furlong and a half to race and battled away as Japan went clear inside the final furlong but was passed by Slalom in the closing stages to go down by a length and a quarter in total.

Roman Candle, a three-year-old son of Le Havre, progressed to fourth entering the final furlong and galloped out well to come home a neck behind Jalmoud.

Japan beat Slalom by half a length in 2m 27.07s on good to soft ground.

Appleby commented: “We were delighted with the performance of Jalmoud, who has put up a career-best performance. We came here hoping to get a G1 placing and we have achieved that, which is great.

“James Doyle said afterwards that a mile and a half is definitely Jalmoud’s best trip and we will look to keeping him over this distance now.

“The G3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood (12f, Thursday, Aug.1) might come a bit too soon and another option could be the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville (12.5f, Deauville, Sunday, Aug.25).

“We have given Jalmoud three quick runs now but he has taken them well, so we will see how he comes out of this race.”

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “Roman Candle ran a really good race and will have some nice opportunities over a mile and a half later in the year.

“He is horse who really appreciates this trip and we feel that he will act better on softer ground. “We will wait and see how he comes out of this race before deciding any future plans.”

Meanwhile, Consistent five-year-old Soleil Marin tries for a third victory at G3 level in the Grand Prix de Vichy over a mile and a quarter at Vichy, France, on Wednesday evening, 17 July.

The Andre Fabre-trained son of Kendargent has won or been placed on four of his five starts this year, including when staying on strongly for a comfortable victory over stable companion Magny Cours in the G3 Prix Exbury over the same distance at Saint-Cloud in March.

He has subsequently made three appearances at around 10 furlongs at Longchamp and finished runner-up in both the G2 Prix d’Harcourt in April and the G3 La Coupe on his latest outing in June.

Mickael Barzalona as usual partners Soleil Marin, who faces six others headed by G1 EP Taylor Stakes runner-up Golden Legend, G1 Champion Stakes third Subway Dancer and recent German G3 winner Potemkin.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “Soleil Marin has run several excellent races so far this season and heads into this contest in good form.

“We are hoping that he runs well again and finishes in the frame.”