Battle of Marengo struggles at Longchamp

Battle Of Marengo beat just one home as Flintshire ran out a highly impressive winner of the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Investec Derby fourth was sporting blinkers for the first time and proved hard to settle through the early stages.

Long-time leader Park Reel was wound up at the three-furlong marker as Battle Of Marengo was pulled wide by Joseph O’Brien but to little effect in the end.

The race was quickly over as a contest as the Andre Fabre-trained Flintshire, running in the colours of race sponsor Khalid Abdullah, moved effortlessly into contention two out and swept clear under Maxime Guyon before being heavily eased.

Manndawi ran a solid race in second with Fabre’s Ocovango, who was a little tight for room in the straight, third.

Bookmaker reaction was positive about the winner for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, with BetVictor halving his price to 6 to 1 for the October 6th showpiece back at Longchamp.