Alson Runs Away From Sole Rival Armory in Criterium

Match races are rare, but to have just two runners in a group 1 sounds like a distant tale from the 19th century. 

When the supplemented Lady Penelope somersaulted in the stalls just before the start of the Criterium International (G1)—a truly frightening incident after which both horse and jockey Shane Crosse walked away largely unscathed—it left only two runners following the morning withdrawal of Wichita because of the deep ground at ParisLongchamp.

On the basis of the short head that separated them in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere-Grand Criterium (G1), the remaining duo of Alson and Armory still had the potential to serve up a thriller.

However, it soon became apparent Alson and Frankie Dettori were far more at home on the heavy ground as Armory and Donnacha O'Brien labored 20 lengths adrift. 

"I thought the other one was going to make a bit of a race of it, but he was beaten at halfway. My horse stays, likes the soft, and he won like it was a piece of work," Dettori said, acknowledging the unique circumstances. "They were second and third in the Lagardere, so they came here with the form, but like I said, he likes soft, he likes the track, and I suspect the Baron (von Ullman) will target him at the Poule d'Essai (G1) next year. He's good enough to give a good account of himself. His form is red-hot."

The identity of Alson's trainer for next season will emerge in the coming weeks, following confirmation that the Ullman family's private training center will be wound up at the end of the season and the Gestut Schlenderhan horses redistributed. 

"I will try to get going again somewhere, but I don't have any plans at the moment," said French-born trainer Jean-Pierre Carvalho, who was adding to the eight group 1 winners he has trained during his time at Schlenderhan. "I have heard Alson could be going to (André) Fabre, but that is not confirmed.

"This is a horse with a lot of talent, and we'll see him in the classics next year." 

Undoubtedly the easiest of Dettori's 19 group 1 wins this year, Alson continued a good weekend for his Lagardere conqueror, Victor Ludorum, who also had Saturday's Criterium de Saint-Cloud (G1) hero Mkfancy behind him on his debut. 

Donnacha O'Brien confirmed his father's fears when he said: "It's horrendous ground, plus (Armory) got a bit upset when the filly got upset in the stalls, so it wasn't ideal. It's disappointing when there's such a small turnout for a group 1. I don't know where everyone's horses seem to be."

Scant Reward for 'Penelope' Ambition

Lady Penelope was beaten under a length in a group 2 at Maisons-Laffitte, and all concerned with Longchamp's final meeting of the year must have been relieved when Joseph O'Brien decided to supplement her for the Criterium International.

It should also have provided Shane Crosse with a memorable first experience of French racing, but in a split second it all disappeared as the filly reared and became momentarily trapped the wrong way in the stalls. 

"Everything was the same as usual, and usually she is a lovely, quiet filly, so I think it was just a bit of a freak accident," said a disappointed Crosse. "She got a little bit upset the last day in France with Christophe Soumillon, but nothing on the scale of that. 

"It was a golden opportunity to get some serious black type for the filly and some prize money, but these things happen and unfortunately it was our turn today. I didn't get the best of looks at her, but she seems to be fine." 

O'Brien and owner Phoenix Thoroughbreds would have been guaranteed at least €10,000 return on top of their €18,000 supplementary entry, but having Lady Penelope return home in one piece will far outweigh any such consideration.