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Karl Burke’s Spycatcher continued his love affair with Deauville when coming home best of all to land the Group 3 Prix de Meautry on Sunday.
The six-year-old, who landed the Prix de Ris-Orangis at Deauville last year before going on to be beaten by a short-head in the Prix Maurice de Gheest, fought off Clive Cox's progressive James's Delight to prevail narrowly under Clifford Lee, earning a quote of 12/1 for the Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot in October.
Karl Burke's charge finished an excellent third in the Ascot Group 1 last season and although conditions will have to be soft to see him line up at the top level in Berkshire, the Spigot Lodge handler quickly confirmed it will be his main target.
"It's a very great victory and I'm delighted to see him win again," Burke told Jour de Galop. "He likes the track, and he was in great shape. But it is the ground that is key with him: he needs soft tracks, and we hope we can have a strong autumn campaign now."
Spycatcher was made to pull out all the stops by James's Delight in the closing stages and the pair could be set for a rematch at Ascot later in the season. "He put in a very good performance; I am very happy," said Cox.
He added: "He was beaten by a well-trained horse, and I think he has put in his best performance today. It was a solid race, and he continues to improve. He likes the soft ground, and we will determine the rest of the season on that. There is in particular the Champions Sprint at Ascot, depending on the weather.
Make Me King lands Prix Quincey honours
On Sunday, Ahmed Al Jehani enjoyed his first group winner since moving to Newmarket when Make Me King stayed on strongly to claim the one-mile Group 3 Prix Quincey at Deauville.
The recent Newcastle winner, who had shown some solid form in France for Andre Fabre before joining new connections Wathnan Racing, quickened up smartly in the hands of retained rider James Doyle to beat market leader Topgear by a comfortable by two and a half lengths.
Speaking to Jour de Galop, Hamad Al Jehani said: "We have always loved him, and we always thought he had the means to win a nice race. It made sense to come to France today since he was raised here and is therefore entitled to the bonuses. I'm delighted to see it work out.
On his first European group winner, he added: "This is my first Group winner in Europe, I'm delighted, it means a lot and it was also my first trip to France!"