Godolphin still Hi on Dubai

Godolphin’s leading Vodafone Oaks contender Hi Dubai remains on course for Epsom despite suffering a defeat at Longchamp on Sunday.

The full-sister to Fantastic Light was brushed aside by the latest star filly to roll off the Wertheimer brothers’ production line, Fidelite in the Prix Saint-Alary.

Staged in driving rain, this 10-furlong Group One was being used by Godolphin as a prep for Epsom after Hi Dubai suggested she needed more homework after winning the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Newmarket Guineas meeting.

Frankie Dettori, out of luck in the preceding Prix d’Isaphan on Imtiyaz, had the filly in fourth behind long-time leader, the James Given-trained Summitville.

Passing the two furlong pole Dettori began to get to work but behind him Olivier Peslier was conjuring up a powerful run from Fidelite, who flew home on the softening ground to score by two lengths, with outsider Arvada the same distance back in third.

Summitvilles Oaks credentials took a knock as the 1000 Guineas’ seventh beat just one home after she ran too free for Michael Fenton.

Mark Prescott’s prolific scorer Humouresque was in third early in the straight but dropped back to finish sixth.

Despite her defeat, Hi Dubai pleased connections and trainer Saeed bin Suroor told the Godolphin website: “She ran a good race and will improve for it. A mile and a half around Epsom will suit her.”

Peslier, bagging his first winner at this level since taking over from Olivier Doleuze as the Wertheimer’s number one jockey, said: “Last time she wasn’t suited by the pace, it was faster here. We’ve always thought highly of her.”

Criquette Head-Maarek, securing her sixth Saint-Alary, said: “In principle it’s the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) next for Fidelite. I’m delighted.”

Hi Dubai remains a 6-1 shot for the Oaks with Ladbrokes while Aidan O’Brien’s Yesterday is the new 4-1 favourite.

The other Group One race on the card, the Prix d’Ispahan, saw Falbrav capture his first race since joining Newmarket-based Luca Cumani.

The former Italian-trained Japan Cup hero burst through a furlong out under a superb ride by Kieren Fallon to defeat last year’s French Oaks winner Bright Sky.

Pat Eddery steered the Amanda Perrett-trained Carnival Dancer into third place.

Another two British-trained raiders, the John Dunlop-trained Dandoun and Imtiyaz were a disappointing sixth and seventh respectively in a field of eight.

Cumani was delighted to see his charge prevail by one and a half lengths despite some early concerns over the ground.

He said: “I was very worried it might turn too soft with all the rain. I took a look at the course after the first two races and saw that the ground had remained fairly solid underneath.”