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Francis-Henri Graffard saddled three of the first four home in the Group 1 Prix de Diane, with Gezora getting the better of Aidan O’Brien’s Bedtime Story to claim top honours in the fillies’ Classic.
Carrying the colours of White Birch Farms, Gezora arrived at Chantilly for her first start at the top level having landed a four-runner renewal of the ten-furlong Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp last month.
Breaking from stall one under Christophe Soumillon, the daughter of Almanzor found herself settled in midfield for much of the contest as Aidan O'Brien's pacemaker Merrily took the field along. As Merrily faded out of contention with two furlongs to travel, Shes Perfect and Mandanaba, who finished second and third respectively in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches last time, were in pole position to strike. The former's effort quickly petered out as she entered unknown territory, while the latter moved on to the head of affairs with Cankoura setting off in hot pursuit.
Mandanaba still held a slender lead heading into the final half furlong, but new challengers were now firmly on the premises, with Gezora and Bedtime Story, who had been positioned stone last throughout, moving into contention more towards the centre of the track.
After being driven to the front by Christophe Soumillon in the closing stages, Gezora continued to find plenty for pressure late on, staying on to deny Bedtime Story and Ryan Moore by a length. Cankoura finished a further half a length back in third, with Mandanaba fading into fourth.
Speaking to Sky Sports Racing, Graffard said: "I think you need three in the race to beat Aidan!
"I'm very happy. The three fillies ran great races. Regarding Gezora, I knew she was in top form. She was really so happy with herself - I was quite confident she was going to run a great race. Christophe gave her a very good ride, and she was brave.
When prompted as to whether the winner was a potential Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe contender, Graffard responded: "I don't think I entered her! We know for sure that she loves the soft ground. She is a Diane winner, which is a big milestone already. The rest, we will leave for the rest of the season."
Soumillon, who was winning the Classic for the third time, added: "I was very confident before the race because she went down to the start very easily,"
"She was moving perfectly. I had a good draw, but I was a bit nervous because if a lot of fillies without chances were in front of me, I could get stuck inside.
"I told Francis before the race if I had an option to come out, to try to stay second deep or third deep, it would be great.
"It was the ideal scenario when I saw Mickael three deep and Clement on my outside, when they started to quicken in the straight, I was able to follow them really easily. I was just hoping that she would be able to change gear, and that is exactly what she did.
"The pace was on, and she was ready to react at the right time. I saw Ryan coming down my outside, and said 'here's Aidan again!', and finally we won it. She had a great, great heart and I'm thankful to the whole team.
"It is only my third, which shows how hard it is!"
