Friendly Soul makes all to strike in Prix Vermeille

Friendly Soul led from pillar to post to double her Group One tally in the Qatar Prix Vermeille at ParisLongchamp.

A top-level winner in the Prix de l’Opera on Arc weekend two years ago, John and Thady Gosden’s five-year-old missed the entirety of last season through injury.

However, she has slowly come to the boil in three starts this term, most recently chasing home Diamond Necklace in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.

And although she was tackling a mile and a half for the first time on her return to France, jockey James Doyle did not appear to have any stamina doubts, sending his mount straight to the lead from the off.

Friendly Soul and Composing had built up a healthy lead over the chasing pack rounding the home turn and while both Pink Panthera and Sunly came from further back to mount a late challenge – with the latter perhaps an unlucky loser after missing the break and encountering traffic problems in the straight – the Gosden runner had enough in hand to claim victory.

“It was a hugely sporting decision from her owners, George and Julia Strawbridge, to keep her in training at this age,” Thady Gosden told Sky Sports Racing.

“Last time she was here she won the Prix de l’Opera, a couple of years ago now. She likes to do things her own way and took James to the front there, but she didn’t get an easy lead at all – she got attacked in the false straight there and was never really able to get a breather.

“Obviously she’s a hugely talented filly and very tough too. It’s great to have her back to her best.”

Friendly Soul is a 16-1 shot for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe with Coral. When asked whether Europe’s premier middle-distance contest could now be on the agenda, Gosden added: “It was obviously her first time over a mile and a half, so it was slightly unknown territory before this.

“I haven’t had a chance to speak to George and Julia yet, we’ll see how she comes out of the race and see where they’d like to go with her, but of course it’s great to have it (Arc) as an option.”