Racing
Afjan and Monteille Royal Ascot possibles after Chantilly victories
Two exciting performances at Chantilly on Sunday have thrown up potential Royal Ascot contenders, with both Monteille and Afjan recording wins that put them firmly on the shortlist.
Monteille took a major step forward with a decisive victory in the Group 3 Prix du Gros-Chêne over five furlongs, whilst unraced juvenile Afjan made a sparkling debut in the Prix d'Orgemont over five and a half furlongs, leaving connections to ponder their next steps - which could include a tilt at the Royal Meeting.
All eyes were on the James Fanshawe-trained Kind Of Blue ahead of the Group 3 Prix du Gros-Chêne, as last season's Group 1 Qipco British Champions Sprint Stakes winner returned for his first start since October. Lightly raced for a four-year-old with just seven starts and three wins, he was dropping in grade and sent off the clear favourite at 4/9. The only British-trained runner after Coto De Caza was withdrawn, the son of four-time Group 1 winner Blue Point lost his chance at the start, rearing as the stalls opened and giving away several lengths. He never recovered, finishing last without passing a rival.
Ponntos, under Mickael Barzalona, set a fierce pace from the off, with Ciao Pa attempting to go with him in second. However, it was the 33/1 outsider Monteille, trained by Mario Baratti and ridden by Cristian Demuro, who emerged as the surprise package. Hugging the far rail and keeping a straight line throughout, she surged past the tiring front-runners to win comfortably by a length and three-quarters. Lesslepasser stayed on well to take second, with Ponntos battling on gamely for third a neck further back.
John Hammond, dual Arc-winning trainer and racing manager to owner Gerard Augustin-Normand, said: "Her form probably didn't do her justice. She was incredibly unlucky in the Prix Du Petit Couvert last year. The formbook says she finished eighth, but if you watch the race she never saw any daylight at all. It's taken a bit of time for her to come into herself, and she probably needed her first race this year. She's always had plenty of ability. I think she gets five or six furlongs. No further."
In the Prix d'Orgemont, a five-and-a-half-furlong maiden for unraced two-year-olds, the Henri-Francois Devin-trained Afjan (by Mehmas) made a striking debut. Breaking smartly was not an issue for most of the field, though Vardif compromised his chances by rearing as the stalls opened. He made up ground well, but it was Afjan, under a patient ride from Alexis Pouchin, who swept through from the rear and accelerated strongly up the centre to win by a length and a quarter. Solid Chance was a further six and a half lengths behind in third.
Afjan is out of Al Johrah, who also carried the Al Shaqab Racing silks with distinction, winning a Chantilly maiden over five furlongs before finishing runner-up in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2016 for the same trainer.
Speaking to Sky Sports Racing, Devin said: "He's got lots of speed, lots of acceleration. We had his dam, who was second in the Queen Mary Stakes — she was also very good. He was working alongside the Listed winner we had at Vichy, also by Mehmas, who can do no wrong! We're delighted.
"I was quite confident before the race. I never got too worried. I thought Alexis did right, because they were on the same line, five or six of them, and they can forget to take a breather. I'm delighted that he took a pull and accelerated on horses that had maybe done a little bit too much.
"It's a newcomers' race, so it is important to give them the best education first time out. I prefer that. As well as winning, he got a really good education too."
When asked about Royal Ascot, Devin added: "That is up to the owners to decide. There is a good French programme too, so we will see what we do."
With both Monteille and Afjan showcasing their potential at Chantilly, Royal Ascot remains a tantalising option — and connections will be weighing up their choices in the coming weeks.
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