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Too easy for Zarkava
Zarkava ran out a brilliant winner of the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) at Chantilly.
The unbeaten Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained filly was a little tardy from the stalls but soon warmed to her task and loomed large in the centre of the track two furlongs from home.
The ever-confident Christophe Soumillon was able to spend the last few yards blowing kisses to the crowd on the French 1000 Guineas heroine as Gagnoa and Goldikova followed at a respectable distance.
Winning owner the Aga Khan said: ''She's an exceptional filly, without doubt one of my best. Her pedigree is incredibly strong and as a breeder that's what you look for year after year.''
Asked about a possible Arc bid later in the year, he said: ''It's a possibility.''
Jim Bolger's Prima Luce was unable to give the County Carlow handler a dream big-race double in the wake of New Approach's heroics at Epsom on Saturday.
She showed up prominently for a long way under Kevin Manning but had no answer when the big guns played their cards and dropped away.
FEW are more adept than Newmarket handler James Fanshawe at improving his charges and the filly Fondled could well be the latest off the Pegasus Stables production line.
A daughter of Selkirk out of useful miler Embraced, she was given plenty of time to learn her job as a three-year-old but eventually got her head in front at the fifth time of asking in a low-key handicap at Yarmouth last September before being put away for the winter.
That patience was certainly rewarded on her reappearance as, despite being slowly into her stride, Fondled ran out a ready winner ahead of a field of seasoned performers, giving every indication there was a lot more in the tank.
This evening's Listed Weatherby's Bank Pipalong Stakes at Pontefract, named after Tim Easterby's speedy filly, is another rung up the ladder but Jamie Spencer has made the trip north specifically to ride Fondled and it is unlikely she will disappoint.
Mark Johnston's recent Haydock winner Missioner probably has Mega Watt to beat in the Harratts Wakefield Renault Handicap, while the best bet at Windsor may prove to be Valrhona in the SEI Investments Handicap.
She wasn't beaten far in a race that's worked out well over a mile at Ascot last month and, with Dettori taking over in the saddle, should havetoo much class for today's rivals.
TODAY'S BEST
DUKE'S DOUBLE
Brigadore (8.50 Pontefract) and Valrhona (7.30 Windsor), nap.
DUKE'S TREBLE
Fondled (8.20 Pontefract), Brigadore and Valrhona.
JULIUS'S DOUBLE
Pediment (4.15 Folkestone) and Mega Watt (7.50 Pontefract), nap.
FORMNAP
Grand Vizier (8.30 Windsor).
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
