Rayif, a grandson of Sea The Stars via his sire Sea The Moon, showed a great turn of foot to win the one-mile colts’ Classic by a length on his seasonal debut. The chestnut son of Rayisa won the Gr.3 Aga Khan Studs Prix François Boutin last summer before finishing third in the Gr.1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan said: "I wasn't sure he'd stay the distance, but Francis [Graffard, trainer] thought he would. He did so very well. I imagine it wasn't heavy ground as it'd only been raining for a couple of hours. He certainly had the speed to get through it.

"Mickael had the most amazing timing, it was lovely to see. I think he'll remain at a mile."

His year-old half-sister Rayevka, by Blue Point, won the opening sprint race on the card, the five-furlong Gr.3 Prix de Saint-Georges. Already a Listed winner and Group 1 placed at last year’s Royal Ascot, she is the fifth foal out of Stakes performer Rayisa.

In the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, Siyouni filly Narissa finished an admirable fourth in the pouring rain behind Diamond Necklace, herself a granddaughter of Siyouni. Siyouni remains the leading active sire of European ‘Guineas’ winners, his progeny having won seven in total, including the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches on three occasions.