Close Prix d’Ispahan third for Usherette

Usherette performed with credit when third in the G1 Prix D’Ispahan over nine furlongs on turf at Chantilly, France, on Sunday, May 28.

The five-year-old Shamardal mare, partnered as usual by Mickael Barzalona, broke smartly from the stalls and was prominent, racing a bit keenly, as Robin Of Navan took the five-strong field along.

Usherette was held back and switched to the inside, racing in third and then fourth. She was asked to make progress in the straight, went back to third and came to challenge in the final furlong.

The Andre Fabre-trained runner kept on well without quite getting to the first two, beaten a neck and a half-length by the winner Mekhtaal and second Robin Of Navan respectively. The winning time on ground described as good was 1m 49.92s.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin commented: “We are delighted with Usherette.

“She ran a very good race and will try and win the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes (Royal Ascot, UK, G2, 1m str, June 21) for a second year running. Usherette will be supplemented for the Royal Ascot race.”