Stormy rules at Chantilly

Kieren Fallon finished well down the field on Ivan Denisovich in the Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly as Stormy River came from last to first to avenge his unlucky Royal Ascot defeat.

Nicolas Clement’s three-year-old had finished second behind Araafa in the St James’ Palace Stakes at the Royal meeting after being set a stiff task by Olivier Peslier, but back in the hands of his usual pilot Thierry Thulliez, he gained the reward his consistent efforts have deserved.

Settled at the rear of the 11-runner field in the early stages, Thulliez only had Fallon on the Aidan O’Brien-trained Ivan Denisovich for company.

Despite the presence of two pacemakers for the principals, Kendargent took the field along at a good clip.

When the race started in earnest in the straight it looked as if the 7-4 favourite had nowhere to go behind a wall of horses but when the gap finally appeared Thulliez conjured up a race-winning run.

The grey Verglas colt showed a hugely impressive turn of foot once more and mowed down his rivals in the final furlong for a comfortable half-length victory over Kentucky Dynamite to cement his place among the leading milers.