Shamdala strikes for Soumillon

Christophe Soumillon brought Shamdala with a perfectly-timed run to lift the Group Two Prix Chaudenay at Longchamp.

British raider Without A Trace led into the straight after Hockney had set a typically slow early pace in the one-mile-seven-furlong contest.

Frankie Dettori turned up the pace on Ed Dunlop’s filly as fellow British representative The Geezer and home hope Fraloga tried to challenge down the outside.

The latter just got her head in front coming into the final furlong but Soumillon was just biding his time and he unleashed the 6-4 favourite with a decisive late lunge.

Fraloga kept on for second while Without A Trace claimed minor honours for Dunlop in third.

Shamdala’s win gives the team of Soumillon, trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre and owner the Aga Khan a perfect start to the weekend ahead of Shawanda’s bid for Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe glory tomorrow.