Bright Melody out to continue fine start in G3 Classic Trial

Debut winner Bright Melody steps up to the G3 level for the Classic Trial over 10 furlongs on Polytrack at Kempton Park in UK on Wednesday. The three-year-old champion stayed on well after overcoming the signs of inexperience to the score by a length and a quarter in the Chelmsford City novice race over the same distance in January.

William Buick partners the son of Dubawi.

His trainer Charlie Appleby said: “Bright Melody was green on his debut but did everything the right way round and finished off his race nicely.

He is a gelding, so doesn’t have any Classic aspirations, but we felt that he deserves a crack at this level. We are hopeful that he can produce another good effort and we will know more about his future afterwards.”

Victor Ludorum wins

Victor Ludorum emulated his sire Shamardal as he stormed to an impressive success in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains, the French 2,000 Guineas, at Deauville on Monday.

While his father displayed his customary tenacity and courage when making all in the mile Classic in 2005, Victor Ludorum unleashed a sparkling turn of foot from the rear to record his second G1 win, following on from last season’s Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

The Andre Fabre-trained colt broke on terms and was covered up in eighth of the nine-strong field by Mickael Barzalona. He was switched to the stands’ rail with two furlongs to race and quickened smartly to hold every chance a furlong from home.

Victor Ludorum took up the running soon after and readily went clear in the closing stages to score by a length and a half over The Summit.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “We are delighted with the performance of Victor Ludorum, who left his comeback run in the Prix de Fontainebleau behind him and showed his best form.

“The G1 Prix du Jockey Club has always been Plan A for Victor Ludorum and we will see how he comes out of this race before confirming his next target. I am sure that Andre Fabre will want a chance to assess the horse over the coming days.”

Barzalona said: “Victor Ludorum went to the start really nicely, even though it was a straight mile canter down. I had thought we would go forward with him but the horse made up his own mind.

“He can be tricky before his races but is always straightforward once racing. Today he just got into the zone and ran his own race. He moved up very smoothly as he always quickens with ease. He is a straightforward colt and was very good today.”

Victor Ludorum met with defeat for the first time in his career when finishing third on his three-year-old return in the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau at Longchamp, France, on Monday, 11 May.

The Andre Fabre-trained Shamardal colt, making his first start since winning the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere in October, broke on terms from his wide draw and raced freely in mid-field on the outside of the eight runners for much of the race.

Victor Ludorum moved up to second under Barzalona with a furlong and a half left but could not trouble The Summit for the lead. He kept on at the same pace and was passed by Ecrivain in the closing stages, going down by two and a half lengths in total.