Henri Matisse bought the higher of an exhilarating tussle with Jonquil to say Traditional glory within the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp.
Held up off a robust gallop early on by Ryan Moore, the Wootton Bassett colt made his transfer from the house flip and shortly ate up the bottom to seize the lead inside the ultimate two furlongs.
Andrew Balding’s Greenham Stakes winner Jonquil, who had been ridden extra prominently by Oisín Murphy, managed to maintain himself within the struggle and briefly seemed set to come back out on high because the put up loomed, however Henri Matisse triumphed by a head on the road.
O’Brien advised Sky Sports activities Racing: “We were delighted. He’s a horse that doesn’t like to be in front too long and obviously it was a nice, even pace and we were hoping it was going to be like that because he was going to be ridden back [in the field].
“When the tempo is powerful and even, often in case you have the very best horse you could have an opportunity. There was going to be no visitors for everyone, however whenever you’re using again you are by no means positive you are going to get there. I am by no means assured, I am all the time hopeful, however Ryan gave him an excellent trip.”
O’Brien, claiming his sixth winner of the race and first since St Mark’s Basilica struck gold in 2021, additionally saddled the third house Camille Pissarro, with the Charlie Fellowes-trained Luther not far behind in fourth.
Coral reduce Henri Matisse to 6-1 from 8-1 for the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, and O’Brien added: “He may very well be a miler and we expect that he is in all probability going to be a St James’s Palace horse, however clearly the lads [owners] will determine that.
“Christophe [Soumillon] thought his horse [Camille Pissarro] could be a French Derby horse, so the lads will probably split them up and see what happens, but there is every chance Henri Matisse could go to Ascot for the St James’s Palace.”
Moore mentioned: “They went a good gallop and it sorted the race out. He travelled very well, very comfortable, he picked up well and I always felt like he was going to win.
“He is a horse with an terrible lot of means, he was good in America final yr, he was good on his comeback and I believe he is getting higher.
“There’s a chance he’ll get further, but he’s pacey and he’s got a lot of gears.”
Henri Matisse might conflict with Jonquil once more at Ascot, with Balding contemplating each the St James’s Palace and the seven-furlong Jersey Stakes.
He mentioned: “Oisín gave him a brilliant ride. It’s obviously frustrating not to win, but the horse ran a huge race. We now have quite a few options. He’s entered in the Jersey Stakes and the St James’s Palace Stakes – we need to figure out which race will suit him best.”
