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Immensitude shone at Longchamp on Thursday with a dazzling four-and-a-half length victory in the Listed Prix Finlande.
The three-year-old filly was unwanted in the betting before the race and started 33/1 for trainer Stephane Wattel. She raced clear from the one furlong marker and was unopposed, with jockey Alexis Pouchin sitting quietly. Atakama and Start Me Up finished second and third respectively.
In an interview with French publication Jour de Galop, Wattel said: "It is a beautiful victory, especially after a few disappointments. She had a bit of a weird career, starting out straight away in a Class Two and we felt the last time that the soft tracks didn't suit her. But in a month, she gained 100 kilos of muscles, and has transformed. Today, she looked physically better than I have seen her look before. It makes the difference. She did something! For the future, there is an opportunity in July with the [Group 3] Prix Chloe. We are going to think."
In the Prix de Montretout, Russipant Fal gave jockey Hugo Lebouc a memorable victory. Trained by Joel Boisnard, Russipant Fal started his career with three straight victories and a Listed second prior to some disappointing efforts in Black Type company. He returned as a four-year-old with a good second in a handicap at Chantilly and seemingly took a big step forward from his reappearance.
After the race, Lebouc spoke to French broadcaster Equidia and said: "I don't what to say, it is really exceptional. It's the first good horse that I have ridden in my career! It is a dream to ride this type of horse on this type of racetrack."
In the feature race of the day, the 1m3f Prix Hocquart, favourite Harry Way was overturned by the Andre Fabre-trained First Minister. Harry Way had to do all the hard work in front and was headed by the handy First Minister at one furlong out. The three-year-old drew clear in the closing stages to record a one-and-a-half length victory.
A son of Galileo and Group 3 winner Naples Bay, First Minister won a Saint-Cloud maiden on his sole start as a juvenile before returning to the same track for a third over 1m2½f on seasonal reappearance. His second in a conditions race over the same course and distance as the Prix Hocquart suggested Black Type success may be beyond his reach, but connections kept the faith and First Minister rewarded them with a valuable Group 3 success.
