Goldikova ousts Henry at Longchamp

Freddie Head's golden season continued apace at Longchamp as Goldikova claimed the scalp of Henrythenavigator in the Prix du Moulin.

The French handler has carried all before him in Group Ones this term and was at it again in this ultra-competitive contest.

Given a sound ride from Olivier Peslier, the filly gained a clear-cut advantage two and a half furlongs from home to defeat Darjina quite tidily.

British raider Paco Boy was third, while dual 2000 Guineas hero Henrythenavigator could only finish fifth.

Goldikova was supplementing a recent triumph in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville, where she again lowered the colours of Darjina.

But given the calibre of opposition in the Moulin, this was arguably a far more impressive display from the daughter of Anabaa.

Always travelling sweetly, Goldikova (3-1) readily zipped past the pacemaking Sarissa and showed textbook resilience to hold off Darjina in the manner of a top-class animal.

Paco Boy, trained by Richard Hannon, came with a late rattle under Richard Hughes but had to be content with third.

Disappointment of the race was obviously Henrythenavigator, who made up plenty of ground from the rear but never looked like testing the chief protagonists.

Head said: 'She loves the course here and was second in the French Guineas. She has a lot of speed and can cruise along very quickly.

'I knew she was well and ready to run a big race. She was against the colts for the first time and I wasn't certain she could win but I was certain of her well-being and quality.

'She will definitely go the Breeders' Cup now, but I will discuss the options with the owner. She could go for the Mile or the Filly and Mare Turf - I don't think stamina would be a problem for the latter as she proved she stayed when third in the Diane.'

O'Brien said of Henrythenavigator: 'It was a very close call to make about him running as we know that Henry loves fast ground.

'He has ran a good race but the top was coming off the ground.

'Johnny (Murtagh) said he laboured a little on it and he wasn't able to get hold of it as he normally can.

'He is a fast-ground horse and speed is his big attribute, but that was blunted and he could never get into top gear.

'We'll have a look at options now and we will have to consider Ascot - and longer-term, the Breeders' Cup.'