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Inspiral returned to something like her best when successfully defending her crown in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday afternoon.
Much like last year, Inspiral arrived on something of a revival mission following her disappointing effort in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood just eleven days ago.
Frankie Dettori was in no hurry on the Cheveley Park-owned filly as he settled his mount towards the rear of the field. Market leader Big Rock set the pace on the front end but soon faced challengers as both Triple Time and Inspiral loomed large. The Kevin Ryan-trained Queen Anne winner failed to sustain his bid, but Inspiral, who had gone down by a neck at Royal Ascot, showed no signs of stopping and powered on back the French Derby runner-up for a cosy length and a quarter success.
David Simcock's Light Infantry once again produced a solid performance at Group 1 level by finishing a further length and a quarter back in third, while Onesto stayed on nicely from off the pace to grab fourth on his reappearance.
Richard Thompson of owners Cheveley Park Stud told Sky Sports Racing: "A very brave call, she ran in the Sussex 11 days ago; I know she didn't have much of a race but to win this twice, two years running and to have four Group 1s now, absolutely fantastic, what a day.
"She's a proper individual, she's had a couple of difficult days on the racecourse, but she's had some great days; she's so talented and, of course, when it goes for her as you saw today, she's just a different league.
"We were hoping that she could break well and get a lead, even though the ground was probably better for her on the stands' rail, but she's so talented.
"You saw that in the Fillies' Mile in 2021, saw that in the Coronation Stakes last year and we saw that here last year, she's had some big days."
Victory in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois always Inspiral an automatic place in the Breeders Cup Mile and Thompson admitted a trip to Santa Anita would have to come under consideration.
"That's got to be looked at," he added.
"Talk to the trainer, talk to the jockey and my mother will obviously have a big say. The ground needs to be right for her, the Breeders' Cup is a possibility, but we'll listen to the trainer, listen to the jockey and we'll enjoy today first."
It was a first victory for Inspiral since landing the French Group 1 prize twelve months ago and a fourth-straight success in the race of the Clarehaven team, all of which have been ridden by the 52-year-old Italian maestro and Thompson was full of praise for Dettori who was winning the contest for the eighth time.
"He knows this filly so well. He understands her temperament, he understands her talent and he understands how to ride her and he understands......you know, she's had a couple of bad breaks from stalls but today she broke fine and he knew what he was doing and it was pretty straightforward for her."
Paddy Power cut Inspiral from 3/1 to 9/4 for further Group 1 success in the Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket, while the same firm also make her a 6/1 chance for Breeders Cup Mile glory in November.
