Solid French Derby but

Not fantastic weather but a good race ran at a decent tempo. The Prix du Jockey-Club otherwise known as French Derby was completed by Le Havre in 2'06''80. Led to victory by ever-inspired stable jockey Christophe Lemaire, the son of Noverre offers a first Derby to all-conquering Jean-Claude Rouget and given the ease of his triumph, he looks good enough to carry on landing Gr I titles in the future.

He just bagged this contest with ease and authority. Now, Pau-based handler Rouget is left with many suitable entries. Still engaged in the St James Palace Stakes on June 16th, the Eclipse or Sussex Stakes are potential targets, as are the Gr I Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly or the Jacques le Marois both over a mile, respectively in June/July and August. If connections feel he is able to tackle 1m4f in the Grand Prix de Paris, that would be a huge gamble. At any rate, Le Havre has just proved us he is to be feared over 1m-1m2f.

The fact of the matter is except Vesuve, Wajir , Feels All Right and Beheshtam, the rest of the field, precisely thirteen of them, as Lawman (2007) and Shamardal (2005) are pure milers. Vesuve finished well and looked promising, while Wajir is surely better than what he showed us, Feels All right ran way too freely and quite understandably, there wasn't much left in the tank. Last year's contenders Chinchon, Montmartre, Magadan and Trincot did not look at home here but went on to be really smart afterwards. The same is probably true for those mentioned above, they should fare very well in the near future.

Raced over a 1m5f maiden four week ago, and tried in a 1m4f Listed Race, which he both mocked, Beheshtam was thrown into Group I company on his third run only and having to deal with a delicate draw -15/17 - he is most definitely the eye catcher of Sunday's contest. Strong-built, powerful, and as robust as a steeple-chaser, the son of Peintre Celebre was given a very patient ride by jockey Christophe Soumillon until he found his stride to produce a remarkable turn of foot in the straight to take fourth. Simply impressive!

Partner C.Soumilon declared on the Paris-Turf website - http://www.paris-turf.com - ''Had there had been two and a half furlongs more, we would have won''. We thought so! A French saying: '' dans la ligne droite, il a du en enrhumer plus d'un, treize en realite'' meaning : ''A few of them probably caught a cold in the straight, 13 of them actually''.

Criquette Head-trained runner-up Fuisse is a genuine Group I horse. He was set such a difficult task, having travelled with fast and furious-leaders, he had to bear a hard tempo but still appeared as a winner until caught by Le Havre in the final strides. Perhaps, partner Dominique Boeuf rallied prematurely at the business end, anyhow, the son of Green Tune is a very classy individual. He ought to be a big gun provided that he came out well from the race.

Ballydoyle delegated four contestants, in the shapes of Drumbeat -Gr I Criterium de St-Cloud runner-up- Set Sail, lightly-raced Malibu Bay, and Westphalia. The latter finished best under Johnny Murtagh to grab third a length and a half behind Fuisse. Drawn 13, he did very well.

Justifiably so, in the mind of French professionals, the 1m4f Gr I Grand Prix de Paris has emerged as the true three-year-olds Classic contest. The hitch : staged in mid July, the going at Longchamp can be so quick certain trainers describe the track as hazardous. Alain de Royer-Dupre had a bitter experience with Arc hope Montmartre. The horse over exerted himself, hurt his tendons and never raced again. So, anyone who enjoys seeing champions in action wouldn't want this to happen again.

All in all, this 2009 French Derby was of a very good standard and the first, second and fourth must be high class. Only the fact that most of them will go back to the mile distance in the next few weeks is regrettable. Very much so.