The Prix d’Hedouville, run recently at Longchamp over a mile and a half, was a competitive event with a distinctly South African flavour.

The Group 3 race was fought out in a close finish with the Andre Fabre colt, Martaline prevailing by a short neck over Saumarez colt, Loxias. The third horse was Craig’s Falcon - a son of the late Polar Falcon and the smart Dominion Royale mare, Royal Figurine - hardly the pedigree of a dour stayer.

The distances were a neck and a short neck. The winner was ridden by the up and coming French star, Christophe Soumillon. Martaline was highly regarded at three and was thought good enough to contest the French Derby. His dam is a sister in blood to the four time Group/Grade 1 winner Beat Hollow, now at stud.

The first three should remain competitive in French group races run over a mile and a half plus. 

Behind them came the group winners Cut Quartz, Valley Chapel and Thompson Rouge.

Race Result - PRIX D'HEDOUVILLE (Gr 3)