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La Cressonniere secures Classic double in French Oaks

La Cressonniere picked up well in the final furlong to win
La Cressonniere picked up well in the final furlong to win

French 1000 Guineas heroine La Cressonniere completed a Classic double with a victory in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly.

Jean-Claude Rouget's filly was a comfortable winner of the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches in mid-May and was the 11-4 favourite to strike gold once more in the French Oaks.

Cristian Demuro rode a patient race and remained nearer last than first rounding the home turn.

However, once angled wide of the field, La Cressonniere showed off her brilliant acceleration, picking up well to lead inside the final furlong and claim another Group One success.

Left Hand and Volta finished second and third respectively.

John Gosden and Frankie Dettori, successful with Star Of Seville in 2015, teamed up with Pretty Polly Stakes heroine Swiss Range.

She looked set to play a leading role early in the straight, but weakened out of contention.

Aidan O'Brien saddled the pacesetting Coolmore and leading hope Ballydoyle, but the latter was hampered at the start and was always on the back foot from her wide starting berth.

There was drama further back in the field as Armande was hampered and unseated Pierre-Charles Boudot.

The stewards held an inquiry post-race and disqualified the William Buick-ridden Highlands Queen, placing her last.

Buick has also been given a four-week ban.

Coolmore finished fifth and Ballydoyle was sixth.

O'Brien said of his pair: "Ballydoyle didn't like the ground, she really needs it fast, and she had a very bad draw. I wouldn't mind dropping her back to a mile, she's in the Falmouth and everything will be considered, but I'm not saying she doesn't stay she just needs fast ground.

"Coolmore stayed on well, she also probably wants better ground, it was a bit dead here today. Her run petered out."

Gosden said of Swiss Range: "She ran great, did everything right and relaxed perfectly but she's uncomfortable on this ground which was chewed up."

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