FRANCE: Sparkling Return By Golden Lilac

Monday, 28 May 2012: Andre Fabre's classic winner Golden Lilac made a sparkling return when she surged past Cirrus Des Aigles to win the G1 Prix D'Ispahan at Longchamp on Sunday.

Andre Fabre Photo by Racing and Sports

Cirrus Des Aigles was sent off an odds on favourite and attempted to kick from the front but could not match the finishing burst of Golden Lilac (Maxime Guyon) as she powered to the front inside the last furlong.

Golden Lilac, a dual G1 winner last season of the French 1000 Guineas and French Oaks, had not been seen since last August but showed she was on track for the Arc in October after disputing the early lead with Cirrus Des Aigles.

She settled much better when Guyon dropped her back behind the leader and she picked up smartly when asked her to close to record her sixth win from seven starts.

Triple G1 winner Cirrus Des Aigles was swamped by Golden Lilac while the Marco Botti-trained Planteur claimed third in his first start since a similar placing in the Dubai World Cup.

"You'd have to say that was probably her best performance on ratings," said Fabre while unsure about future plans.

"It's complicated. I might supplement her for the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot or perhaps wait for the Prix Jacques le Marois. I'll have to think about it."

Corine Barande-Barbe, trainer of the runner-up, said: "Perhaps he would be better over a bit further or on slightly softer ground but the horse hasn't disappointed me."

Cirrus Des Aigles was seeking a third successive G1 win following victories in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan and the Prix Ganay at Longchamp.

Golden Lilac shared the Longchamp spotlight on Sunday with Sagawara, a fine winner of the G1 Prix Saint-Alary for trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre and jockey Christophe Lemaire.

The Aga Khan's three-year-old daughter of Shamardal denied the onrushing Rjwa after getting to the lead inside the final furlong.

Sagawara holds entries in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Irish Oaks at the Curragh.

Her stablemate Ivory Land showed enthusiasm to win the G2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier to complete a big day for Royer-Dupre.