Meandre repaid the faith of trainer Andre Fabre as he thwarted the frontrunning Seville to land the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp.
Fabre had supplemented the Slickly colt for the Group One race at a cost of 36,000 euros ($A47,752) earlier in the week and it proved money well spent as he notched a narrow victory in the hands of Maxime Guyon.
Seamie Heffernan set out to make all aboard Seville, one of three runners for Aidan O’Brien, with stablemate and Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach content to sit in behind him.
The pair built up quite an advantage over the rest of the field and with three furlongs (600m) to go, they still had around eight lengths advantage over Meandre in third.
However, Guyon was biding his time before getting serious on his mount inside the distance of the mile-and-a-half (2400m) contest.
As Treasure Beach faded away, Seville tried his best to hang on in front but Meandre came with a telling late burst to land the honours.
Seville hung on for second while French Derby hero Reliable Man could finish only third with Treasure Beach fourth.
Fabre indicated after the race that the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe could be on Meandre’s agenda and both Betfred and William Hill make him a 10-1 chance for the autumn highlight.
Despite being beaten, Heffernan was delighted with Seville’s run, particularly as he reversed Irish Derby form with Treasure Beach.
“I thought I had it, he ran a good race,” the rider said.
“He improved a shade from the Curragh, but a shade wasn’t good enough (as) there was still one that beat me.
“He’s tough, genuine and still improving.”
PA AAP TURF
