Simcock ahead of the game in Morny

David Simcock is eyeing further Group One prizes for Dream Ahead after he blew away the opposition in the Darley Prix Morny at Deauville.

The youngster created a favourable impression when making a winning racecourse debut at Nottingham last month, but even Simcock admitted it was a huge leap of faith to step the colt up to Group One company.

The 8-1 chance travelled strongly throughout the six-furlong contest and moved up stylishly to challenge at the furlong marker.

Once given the hurry-up by William Buick, who guided Debussy to win the Arlington Million in Chicago less than 24 hours earlier, Dream Ahead quickly put the race to bed and passed the post comfortably ahead of Tin Horse.

The other British contenders were largely disappointing. Richard Hannon’s Libranno was handily placed early on but faded in the closing stages.

Godolphin’s Al Aasifh, the Mick Channon-trained Soraaya and John Hills’ Irish Field failed to land a blow.

“It was a very good performance and he was very professional,” said Simcock.

“He has plenty of ability and plenty of speed, he did it very nicely – it was cosy in the end.

“He’s always shown us he’s got plenty of ability. We probably took the brave route coming here after just one run, but we talked about it on Monday and decided we’d have a go.

“We’ll see how he is, but I would say we’ll look at the Middle Park Stakes and the Dewhurst. That’s for further down the line, though.”

Simcock also had a word of praise for owner Khalifa Dasmal, whose colours were carried to Derby glory at Epsom in 1996 by Shaamit.

He added: “It’s fantastic to have a Group One winner and I’m probably most grateful to the owner, who has probably been my longest serving owner.”

Paddy Power introduced Dream Ahead into next year’s 2000 Guineas betting at 16-1.

Stacelita pulled out all the stops to repel Godolphin’s Antara in the Darley Prix Jean Romanet.

The former, a three-time Group One winner in 2009, was sent off the even-money favourite and hit the front at the top of the straight under Christophe Soumillon.

Frankie Dettori threw everything at Antara to try and bridge the gap but Stacelita, runner-up to Midday last time out in the Nassau Stakes, found just enough to take further top-level honours.

Stacelita’s triumph was the second leg of a double for Soumillon as he had earlier guided 7-4 favourite Lily Of The Valley to a narrow victory in the Darley Prix De La Nonette.

Luca Cumani’s Contredanse was in front for most of the home straight but Lily Of The Valley reeled her in and got up in the shadows of the post.

Cumani and jockey Kieren Fallon also suffered a narrow reverse in the Darley Prix Kergorlay, as Manighar just failed to catch Americain.