Henri Matisse got the better of a thrilling tussle with Jonquil to claim Classic glory in the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp.
A strong raiding party crossed the Channel for the
2000 Guineas, with Aidan O’Brien’s Breeders’ Cup hero Henri Matisse at the head of the market following his successful reappearance at Leopardstown at the end of March.
Held up off a strong gallop early on by Ryan Moore, the Wootton Bassett colt made his move from the home turn and quickly ate up the ground to grab the lead inside the final two furlongs.
Andrew Balding’s Greenham Stakes winner Jonquil, who had been ridden more prominently by Oisin Murphy, managed to keep himself in the fight and briefly looked set to come out on top as the post loomed, but Henri Matisse had his head in front on the line.
O’Brien, claiming his sixth winner of the race and first since St Mark’s Basilica struck gold in 2021, also saddled the third home Camille Pissarro, with the Charlie Fellowes-trained Luther not far behind in fourth.