Way To Paris Wins First Group 1 at Saint-Cloud

Of all the surprises that this strange flat season has produced so far, the idea that a 7-year-old "stayer" would be sent off favorite for the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1) might take pretty high rank.

But such has been the form of Way To Paris that he not only deserved the respect of punters but then proceeded to win in the manner his odds suggested. 

Waited with by Pierre-Charles Boudot on a day that plenty of frontrunners were not for catching, Way To Paris ran down a pair of decent international yardsticks in Nagano Gold and Ziyad, while the Charlie Appleby-trained Old Persian faded to be last of the five runners June 28.

"I have so much confidence in this horse. When he's in good form, he can beat anything," said trainer Andrea Marcialis, who was tasting group 1 success for the first time. "He is quite particular, and if he's not in form, he could easily be fifth in a listed race. Even in winning a group 1, he saves a little for himself, like many good horses.

"He has run three times in 30 days, and that's not easy. He'll have a break now, and if he is still in good form come the autumn, the Arc (G1) will be the aim."

Paddy Power gave Way To Paris a 40-1 quote for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), a race he did not contest last year in favor of the Qatar Prix du Cadran (G1) over 2 1/2 miles. 

Since the first day of the delayed season, the son of Champs Elysees has been kept busy in the best company, finishing second in the Prix d'Harcourt (G2) before running away with the rerouted Grand Prix de Chantilly (G2) at Deauville. 

Just a fortnight ago, he pushed Sottsass all the way in the Prix Ganay (G1) over an extended 1 1/4 miles, a result unthinkable when he was running over almost twice that trip last autumn.

Marcialis also paid tribute to the jockeys who have got the best out of his "complicated" stable star. 

"He needs a jockey who understands him, and Cristian Demuro did a good job with him. I knew he had Sottsass, so he wouldn't be available all the time. Pierre-Charles is excellent on him, too."

While Way To Paris has been busy, Nagano Gold ran a fine race on his first start since last season's Arc and was only denied by a neck. 

Ziyad led deep into the final furlong and was a further head away in third, having gone down by a short neck to Coronet in this race 12 months ago.

"It's a relief because he was sick when he ran at Deauville and was 10 lengths behind (Way To Paris)," trainer Carlos Laffon-Parias said. "The horses are beginning to come back into form, but you don't really know until you get them to the track."

There can be no Arc for the gelded Ziyad.

Laffon-Parias said: "In principle, he will go back to Deauville, and then he will be on his travels again."

Persian King Back in Winner's Enclosure

Persian King posted a first success since last season's Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (G1) but was made to pull out plenty to hold Pretreville and Skalleti in the Prix du Muguet (G2).

The imposing son of Kingman looked a leaner specimen than when second on his comeback following injury at Chantilly three weeks ago, and Boudot set out to give him a thorough workout, seizing the advantage from the off. 

Halfway up the straight, Persian King looked in danger of being overwhelmed by his attackers but knuckled down well to repel Pretreville.

The classy 4-year-old is being aimed at a return to top-level company in the July 19 Prix d'Ispahan (G1) at Chantilly.

"I was pleased with what he did last time and satisfied that today he won in good style and moved very well," Boudot said. "I still had something up my sleeve. The others came at me early in the straight, but he outstayed them.

"I don't think stepping up in trip would be a problem for him."

The Ispahan is over nine furlongs, and for this year only is open to 3-year-olds. Persian King's sole previous attempt at a mile and a quarter was in last season's QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club (G1), an inconclusive try given his subsequent health problems.