Goldi back with a bang

Goldikova got her 2011 season off to a winning start in the Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp.

Freddie Head’s wondermare was last seen claiming a third Breeders’ Cup Mile and set herself up for another trip to Royal Ascot by striking at the highest level for an astonishing 13th time.

Olivier Peslier was made to work hard on the six-year-old has her stamina began to slightly ebb over the nine-furlong trip.

But she still had just enough in reserve to hold off the determined challenge Cirrus Des Aigles.