Godolphin colt ridden closer to pace

Godolphin's Rio De La Plata (Rahy - Express Way, by Ahmad) was a high class winner of the Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagadere over seven furlongs at Longchamp.

The Vintage Stakes winner was beaten by New Approach in the National Stakes last year, coming from a long way back. Today he was ridden much closer to the pace, taking second place behind Greatwallofchina in the early stages. When the Ballydoyle colt came off the rail, Rio De La Pala took a few strides to quicken, but he did so well, striding steadily clear of his pursuers to win by two and a half lengths in an impressive display. As in the National Stakes he was doing his best work at the end, and he races in a manner that suggests he will get considerably further than a mile next season.

Peter Chapple-Hyam's Declaration Of War, having his first start for three months, was second. The Aga Khan's Shediak put in what could be an excellent performance in third, having totally failed to settle in the early stages before getting going in the straight.

Godolphin's racing manager Simon Crisford said: "I don't know if he'll run again this season, we'll see what Sheikh Mohammed wants to do.

"He is in the Dewhurst but that is only two weeks away so it might come a bit quick for him, but he takes his races so well we'll reserve that judgement for a while.

"He'll certainly get a mile and a quarter next year as he's so switched off. Whether he stays any further we'll have to see, but he is from a very stoutly-bred Argentinian family so he may get the Derby trip."

Peter Chapple-Hyam said of Declaration Of War: "I have always thought he is a good horse but the winner does look special. I wanted to go for the Racing Post Trophy but we came here instead.

"There is still a chance he could run in that but he won't run in the Dewhurst as that will come too quick."