Dubai on radar for Magny Cours following Chantilly victory

Magny Cours warmed up for a potential trip to Meydan for the G1 Dubai Turf with a winning return to action in an extended nine-furlong conditions race at Chantilly, France, on Tuesday, 2 March.

The son of Medaglia d’Oro was recording a third straight victory after scoring at Listed level on both his 2020 appearances, including when beating Persian King in the Prix de Montretout at the same course in June.

After tracking the leaders in fourth, Magny Cours cruised up to go second a furlong and a half out.

The Andre Fabre-trained six-year-old reeled in Bugle Major inside the final furlong before being pushed out by Pierre-Charles Boudot for a length and a quarter success.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “We were very disappointed not to be able to carry on with Magny Cours after the Gala Stakes last year because he is a lovely horse and the form of that race is really strong.

“It’s brilliant to see him back out again and he did it exactly as we wanted him to. He ran right the way to the line and is going to come on a lot from that.

“We know that he is a very good horse but he has had his fragilities. We look after him really well – he has had time in Newmarket, where our team have done their absolute best with him, and Andre knows him very well as well.

“He has been invited for the Dubai Turf and we will see how he comes out of this race before making a final decision. Andre will speak to Sheikh Mohammed once he knows how the horse has come out of this and if he feels that the horse is capable of taking up that engagement.”