Constitution River advertised his star quality when leading home a one-two-three for Aidan O'Brien in the Prix du Jockey Club.
The impressive Dee Stakes winner’s Classic target had been the subject of much discussion in recent weeks, but with the master of Ballydoyle staying true to his initial inkling that the 10 furlongs of Chantilly would prove perfect for the son of Wootton Bassett, he was justified in style.
Handed a tricky draw in stall 15 of 16, O’Brien had predicted a tactical affair, but with stable-mates Montreal and Hawk Mountain moving forward in the early stages while Ryan Moore kept Constitution River wide before tacking across to shadow his team-mates, it was the Irish raiders who dominated affairs from start to finish.
While Montreal led the Coolmore-owned trio into the straight, the eye was always trained to Moore in the Michael Tabor silks as he asked his mount to quicken and he did so smartly to lead home Hawk Mountain in second and the pacemaking Montreal not disgraced in third.
