Mister Monet shows class at Deauville
Mister Monet proved a class above the opposition in the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville today.
The 7-4 favourite led throughout, with Joe Fanning quickening the pace at the entrance to the straight to sail home four lengths clear of Delfos on the heavy ground.
The Mark Johnston-trained three-year-old was stretching his unbeaten run to four in this Group Two contest.
Johnston, thrilled with the performance, said: “We always thought he was a very good horse, and now we know he goes on soft ground as well as on a faster surface.
“We were never worried about this step up in class as we’ve always thought of him as a Group One horse.”
The Middleham handler, for whom this was compensation after Attraction’s disappointing run in the Prix Jacques Le Marois last Sunday, nominated the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket in October as the main objective.
“Whether we go for another race in between we’ll have to see,” he added, without ruling out a return to France.
Mick Channon’s Gatwick finished fifth, with Michael Stoute’s Lord Mayor sixth.
