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Last Updated: Sunday, 3 October, 2004, 16:04 GMT 17:04 UK
Longchamp: Day two

Bago delivered a strong finish to claim the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday.

The three-year-old delighted the French crowds as he fought his way out from the middle of the pack to power home ahead of Cherry Mix.

Earlier, Aidan O'Brien saw his season get better, picking up his second Group One victory in the space of three days, as his charge Oratorio clinched the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

Fellow Irish trainer Jim Bolger also enjoyed success in the Prix de l'Opera with Alexander Goldrun while veteran British trainer Clive Brittain sent out Var to take the Prix de l'Abbaye.


All times BST

1630: Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe (1m 4f)
1 Bago (T Gillet) 10-1
2 Cherry Mix (C Soumillon) 33-1
3 Ouija Board (J Murtagh) 7-1

Bago weaved his way from the middle of the field to leave it late to claim the blue riband event at Longchamp.

The son of Nashwan showed a terrific turn of foot to cut down Cherry Mix close to home.

Ouija Board finished fast to take third, but pre-race favourites North Light and Grey Swallow were out of the places.


1545: Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (1m)
1 Oratorio (J Spencer) 5-2
2 Early March (O Peslier) 11-4
3 Layman (C Soumillon) 7-4f

Aidan O'Brien's charge Oratorio sneaked up on the rail to deny favourite Layman by a head.

Early March had dominated the early proceedings before Layman strode ahead on the home straight.

But Jamie Spencer urged Oratorio along the rails and edged in front as the three horses drove for the line.

"We flew early on and I was worrying the winning post would come to soon but he really motored over the last 100 yards," Spencer told BBC Sport.


1505: Prix Marcel Boussac (1m)
1 Divine Proportions 8-11f (C-P Lemaire)
2 Titian Time (J Fortune) 25-1
3 Fraloga (C Soumillon) 10-1

Divine Proportions continued her unbeaten run as she streaked to victory at Longchamps.

Jimmy Fortune challenged on Titian Time and was still out in front entering the straight.

But the Pascal Bary-trained favourite showed a good turn of foot and picked it up in the last furlong to pull clear of the closing pack.

This race is a good indicator for next season's Classics and Divine Proportions is already 5-1 favourite for Newmarket's 1,000 Guineas.

"For a trainer, it's a dream to have such a fantastic filly," Bary told BBC Sport.

"Each time she runs she's improving and winning more easily."


1430: Prix de L'Opera (1m 2f)
1. Alexander Goldrun (K Manning)6-1
2 Grey Lilas (E Legrix) 10-11f
3 Walkamia (C Soumillon) 14-1

Alexander Goldrun recovered from a slow start to surge to victory in the Prix de L'Opera.

French favourite Grey Lilas had taken up the lead with one-and-a-half furlongs to go.

But Kevin Manning weaved the Irish three-year-old through the field to steal first spot.

Walkamia, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, settled for third after leading the race in Paris right from the off.

"She's fairly straightforward and easy to train," winning trainer Jim Bolger told BBC Sport.

"I don't think she will race again this year but I'm optimistic she will be back next season."


1355: Prix de L'Abbaye (5f)
1 Var (L Dettori) 8-1
2 The Tatling 5-1 (R L Moore)
3 Royal Millennium 10-1 (T E Duncan)

There was a trio of success for the British raiders in the second Group One race of the day.

Var poured on the pace to score an easy victory for Nemarket-based trainer Clive Brittain under the firm hand of Frankie Dettori.

Milton Bradley's The Tatling tried to reel in the five-year-old in the closing stages but had to settle for second - an improvement on his third spot last year.

Royal Millennium ran on well to round off the success for trainer Mick Channon as pre-race 7-2 favourite Patavellian did not make an impression.


1325: Prix du Cadran (2m 4f)
1 Westerner (O Peslier) 8-13f
2 Cut Quartz (T Jarnet) 12-1
3 Le Carre (I Mendizabal) 40-1

Westerner did not disappoint the punters as the Ellie Lellouche-trained favourite won the Prix du Cadran for the second year running.

Olivier Peslier took the five-year-old to the front two furlongs out and Westerner stayed strong to the finish.

Peslier was content to stay with the British-trained pacesetters Anak Pekan and Darasim for much of the race before pushing for home.

Nicky Henderson's Dancing Bay, ridden by Kieren Fallon, made up some ground from the rear to finish in fourth.




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SEE ALSO
Sulamani to miss Arc
28 Sep 04  |  Horse Racing
Light seeks Arc glory
01 Oct 04  |  Horse Racing



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