Close third for Cualificar in G2 Prix d’Harcourt

Cualificar emerged with credit on his four-year-old return as he narrowly missed out in a blanket finish to the G2 Prix d’Harcourt at Longchamp, France, on Sunday, 5 April. 

Last season’s G1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up soon disputed fourth on the outside of Leffard in the 10-furlong contest as First Look led the seven runners. 

First Look kicked on two furlongs out, with Bright Picture and the Andre Fabre-trained Cualificar taking closer order to press the leader. 

Bright Picture, winner of last month’s G3 Prix Exbury, took up the running over a furlong out and had enough in reserve to fend off Cualificar in the closing strides. Leffard flashed home, pipping Cualificar for second on the line, as less than a length covered the first four home.