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Tis Marvellous wins Prix Robert Papin

Adam Kirby rider of Tis MarvellousAdam Kirby rider of Tis Marvellous
© Photo Healy Racing

Clive Cox won the Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte for the second time in four years as Tis Marvellous ran out a hugely impressive winner.

Reckless Abandon scored for Cox in 2012 and went on to prove himself at the highest level, and it would be a brave man to suggest the same fate does not await Tis Marvellous.

Having his third run, and his first since winning a Windsor maiden by eight lengths, Adam Kirby grabbed the rail early and always looked comfortable.

In contrast, Robert Cowell's Royal Ascot winner Prince Of Lir raced keenly early on and dropped away to only beat one of his five rivals.

On entering the final furlong, Tis Marvellous took three lengths out of the field and though Queen Mary runner-up Al Johrah gave chase, she made little impression - with two and a half lengths the eventual winning distance.

Having gone on to win the Prix Morny with Reckless Abandon, that Group One at Deauville on August 21 would now have to be under serious consideration

Cox said: "That was a really pleasing performance, he handled the step into Group company with aplomb.

"It's nice to win it for the same connections we won it with Reckless Abandon, too.

"It was a pretty special display, the way he took lengths out of the field was exciting.

"He's won over six (furlongs) already so I wouldn't be worried about going back up in trip.

"The ground had dried out a fair bit here and Adam said he just lugged off the rail, possibly feeling the ground.

"I couldn't be more pleased with him.

"He's not in the Gimcrack (York) so he won't go there - we'll just take it one step at a time and go home and enjoy this first."