Consent gives Morris and Prescott another memorable Arc weekend / Photo: Anne-Christine POUJOULAT - AFP
Consent gives Morris and Prescott another memorable Arc weekend
Veteran English trainer Mark Prescott is rather fond of Longchamp racecourse having won the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe three years ago and on Saturday his Consent won the Group One Prix de Royallieu.
Consent may return next year to try and emulate Prescott's success in the Arc with Alpinista.
However, this year's champion will be known on Sunday when 17 horses go to post and with heavy rain coming down Europe's most prestigious race is likely to be extremely testing for those involved.
Consent raced in sunshine -- shortly before the heavens opened -- and won easily under Luke Morris.
"Longchamp is a lucky place for us!" said Prescott's assistant William Butler with a broad smile.
The other Group One on the card also went to England.
George Scott's reward for persuading the owners to pay 21,600 euros ($25,000) late entry fee paid off as Caballo de Mar delivered the English trainer his first Group One, the Prix du Cadran.
Earlier in the week there had been an embarrassing three runners engaged for a race for which the winner picks up 171,000 euros -- but blushes were spared as five including the winner were supplemented.
"I rarely get emotional, but I was floored when he passed the winning post," said Scott.
"It's been around 10 years in the making. It's a great day for the stable."
- 'Melbourne Cup horse' -
Irish trainer Joseph O'Brien had got the show on the road in the opener saddling the first two home in the Group Two Prix Chaudenay, Tennessee Stud and Emit.
Stable representative Kevin Blake, two-time Melbourne Cup winning trainer O'Brien's race planner, said Epsom Derby third Tennessee Stud could be racking up the air miles next year.
"We always thought he was a very good horse, but Joseph decided to move him up in trip (from 2400 metres to 3000m).
"He appreciated that as you saw, he has a fine temperament although he did get lonely once he hit the front.
"I think he might make a good Melbourne Cup horse."
Another Melbourne Cup winning trainer Mikel Delzangles got on the board, the 54-year-old Frenchman's Ridari winning the Group Two Daniel Wildenstein.
However, it may be the last time he sees him as he is up for sale later on Saturday, although, owners Aga Khan Studs and the trainer will discuss whether he keeps his date with the auctioneers.
"Of course I would love to keep him," said Delzangles, who won the 2011 Melbourne Cup with Dunaden.
France was to add a second Group Two to their tally, 79-year-old Andre Fabre's First Look winning the Prix Dollar.
Last year Ralph Beckett was celebrating winning the Arc with Bluestocking, this time round his wife Izzi was present as Cape Orator won a valuable two-year-old prize, the Criterium d'Automne.
The French air evidently agrees with Cape Orator as he and jockey Hector Crouch showed he is a horse for all seasons, winning the Criterium d'Ete in August in Deauville.
He has added just shy of 300,000 euros to his owners Valmont's coffers as a result.
"He is the first to win the two races," said Izzy Beckett.
"He was the best horse in the race and he showed it.
"It is a great win."
G.Herrmann--BVZ
