G3 second for Inns Of Court at Maisons-Laffitte

Inns Of Court was collared in the closing stages to come home second in the six-furlong G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis at Maisons-Laffitte, France, on Saturday, 13 July.

The Andre Fabre-trained five-year-old, carrying a G2 penalty following his success in the Prix du Gros-Chene at Chantilly in June, broke well for Mickael Barzalona and led the six runners down the stands’ rail.

Inns Of Court stayed on but was headed inside the final half-furlong by King Malpic, who went on to score by three-quarters of a length in 1m 11.10s on good ground, with a further length and three-quarters back to Gold Vibe in third.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “Inns Of Court was giving weight to King Malpic, who is a talented sprinter and came into the race in good form.

“This was a prep-race for Inns Of Court ahead of the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville (6.5f, Sunday, 4 August) and the main priority is that he comes out of this race well enough to take up that engagement.”