Unexposed colt wins Classic well

The Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained Falco (Pivotal - Icelips, by Unbridled), a Wertheimer family homebred, stormed home to win the Group One Poule d'Essai des Poulians over 1600m at Longchamp on Sunday.

The Pivotal colt took the lead two furlongs out under Olivier Peslier and swept clear of his rivals, tiring late on but passing the post three lengths clear of his pursuers, led by Godolphin's Rio De La Plata who was second, a neck in front of Paul Cole's River Proud.

Falco finished well down the field on debut at Deauville last summer, but has improved on three runs since, placed twice before breaking his maiden at Longchamp on his three-year-old debut last time.

By red-hot sire Pivotal, Falco is a half brother to Group Three Prix Eclipse winner Iron Lips (Iron Mask).

Winning jockey Olivier Peslier said: "My horse was always going well. He likes a good gallop and they went a good gallop throughout. He has a nice action and for a horse like him, it is better to be in a good position.

"Moving into the straight I went up on the outside and there was a horse coming with me. But I knew my horse was very strong and full of running, so when the other horse went I made my move early."

Only Answer gives Wertheimer Freres a good afternoon

The Wertheimers were also on the mark in the later Group Three Prix de Saint Georges with Only Answer (Green Desert - Occupandiste, by Kaldoun), a four-year-old filly trained by Andre Fabre. Mood Music was second and Derison third.

The earlier Listed Prix de la Seine was won by Dansili filly Prudenzia (Dansili--Platonic, by Zafonic), who beat Seal Bay by a length. Tres Rapide was third.