Classic countdown - news digest

Full Of Gold (Gold Away - Funny Feerie, by Sillery), the winner of the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud last term, won on his seasonal reappearance in the Group Two Prix Noailles over 2100m at Longchamp on Sunday, beating opponents who had the benefit of a first run under thier belts.

Trained by Criquette Head for her father Alec, Full Of Gold raced in third spot under Thierry Gillet, accelerating smoothly in the straight to draw clear of his rivals. Court Cannibal came with a late flourish, but Full Of Gold had enough in hand to win by a head. Blue Bresil, having his first metropolitan start, had led in the early stages and held on well for third, beaten less than a length.

The winning trainer said after the race: "We had a dream run with the two in front leading him along. The colt wasn't 100% and he was brave to come out on top like that. It is much colder than last year, and I'd expect him to benefit from the longer trip."

Connections will target the Prix Hocquart on 5 May and the Prix du Jockey Club on 1 June.