Giofra shines in Falmouth

A French victory in Newmarket’s Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes had been expected yesterday but it came through the less obvious source of the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained Giofra.

Golden Lilac, a rare British runner from Andre Fabre, arrived with glowing reviews and was sent off the 10-11 favourite but was perceived to have been too keen on unsuitably soft ground and finished in front of just one of her nine rivals.

While Fabre’s raids are always feared, it could equally be said there are no half-measures with Royer-Dupre’s overseas forays as the distinguished trainer has won a Champion Stakes and a Melbourne Cup in his time.