Second Consecutive Win For Irish Wells

Irish Wells won the Grand Prix de Deauville for the second consecutive year for Francois Rohaut and Dominic Boeuf.

The four-year-old, who has been highly-tried this season, made all the running under an astute ride from Boeuf and held off the persistent challenge of Andre Fabre's Poet Laureate and Kerrin McEvoy.

Since his victory in the Group Two event last year, he has been in against the likes of Rail Link and Dylan Thomas but he showed he is still a performer out of the top drawer after being allowed to dominate from the start.

McEvoy looked to be getting the upper hand of the argument on more than one occasion but inside the final furlong Irish Wells found more for pressure and went away again to win by a length.

'He was very relaxed this afternoon and handled the soft ground well. He's a courageous type and when he felt the runner-up approaching he pulled out something extra,' said Boeuf.

The British challengers in the supporting races did not have much luck.

McEvoy was on Whazzis for William Haggas in the Prix Quincey after the pair had bolted up at Ascot last time in a first-time visor.

However, despite the headgear being applied again, she faded out of contention in the final 100 yards.

The race was won by Carlos Laffon-Parias' Kavafi who swooped late under Miguel Blancpain.

Paul Cole's Eisteddfod was back once again for the Group Three Prix De Meautry, a race he won in 2005 and finished second in last year.

However, he could only manage fourth this time as Jean-Claude Rouget's Garnica beat Le Cadre Noir and Tiza. The Trader finished unplaced.

(C) PA Sport