Step Up In Trip Beckons For Raincoat

Raincoat´s disappointing performance in the Prix du Jockey-Club at Chantilly on Sunday has been blamed on the inadequate trip.

John Gosden´s charge was sent off joint-favourite for the French Derby after chasing home new superstar Authorized in the Dante at York.

But Richard Hughes was never really happy on the Khalid Abdullah-owned colt in the extended 10-furlong event and trailed in 11th of the 20 runners.

'He probably wants a mile and a half really. It looked like a decent race but I would think that a mile and a half would suit him,' said Teddy Grimthorpe, the owner´s racing manager.

'I think we will just have to get him back and see how he is. He is in the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot, but we won´t make a decision about that until later on.

'He´ll have learned from that though and hopefully come on.

'I´m not sure if he´ll turn into a Leger horse later in the season. He´s out of a Rainbow Quest mare, but Barathea (his stallion) wouldn´t normally give you a mile and three-quarter horse. It would be a nice thought, but we will have to see.

'I would have thought we will go more gently with him and Ascot may come a bit soon for him.'

However, Grimthorpe was delighted with the performance of the Pascal Bary-trained Zambezi Sun, who flew home to finish a close fourth from a wide draw.

'Zambezi Sun ran a fantastic race, but he was killed by the draw. He was a bit further back than he wanted to be and made his run from the rear of the field,' said Grimthorpe.

'I think we will be looking at the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp (July 14) with him, but we will have to see how he goes.'

(C) PA Sport