The Aga Khan's Zarkava (Zamindar - Zarkasha, by Kahyasi), runaway winner of the Group One Prix Marcel Boussac on only her second start, made an impressive return to action in the Group Three Prix de la Grotte over 1600m at Longchamp on Sunday, a race won last year by her stablemate Darjina.

Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre had concerns about the heavy round but let the filly take her chance and regular jockey Christophe Soumillon settled her in fifth spot on the outside, travelling comfortably.

Turning in Zarkava was coasting along and took closer order before Soumillon pressed the button a furlong out. The response was instant and Zarkava was ridden out under hands and heels to a two and a half length victory over Conference Call in a carbon copy of her Group One Triumph last autumn.

Connections are now looking forward to the Prix d'Essai des Pouliches, with De Royer-Dupre saying: "It is not the state of the ground that I feared. Zarkava is a pearl and has become more manageable. she's really a great filly and now I look forward to her first major engagement in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches in four weeks."