Business As Usual For Ponntos in the Gros-Chene

[Wandering Eyes]

Eva Nieslanikova's six-year-old entire Ponntos (Ire) (Power {GB}–Blessing Box {GB}, by Bahamian Bounty {GB}), undefeated in Europe since returning from a five-race winter jaunt to the Middle East, made it three-for-three this term with a dominant performance in Sunday's G2 Prix du Gros-Chene at Chantilly.

Ponntos was successful in April's Listed Premio Certosa and last month's G3 Prix de Saint-Georges, his second victory in the latter, and assumed his customary frontrunning role from flagfall in this straight five-furlong dash. Untroubled throughout, the 6-4 favourite had all 11 rivals on the stretch passing the quarter-mile marker and was ridden out inside the final furlong to easily register a fifth black-type triumph. Hitting the line, he had a 2 1/2-length buffer back to Mgheera (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) with Pradaro (Fr) (Penny's Picnic {Ire}) finishing 1 1/4 lengths adrift in third.

“He's a big horse with a big heart and we're all very proud of him,” said connections' representative Aisha Dachiel. “It is a very big day for us, he's in good form and we're delighted with the win. He's a six-year-old now, he's totally calm in the head and he was born for winning. Once he is fully recovered and rested, we might consider Goodwood [for the Aug. 2 G2 King George S.]. Maybe, we will see.”

Pedigree Notes
Ponntos, one of his sire's 15 pattern-race winners, is one of two scorers and the leading performer out of a winning full-sister to Listed Flying Fillies' S. victrix Bounty Box (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}) and Listed Prix Delahante placegetter Bahamian Box (GB) (Bahamian Bounty {GB}). Hisdam's half-sister Vive Les Rouges (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) ran second in the Listed Dick Poole Fillies' S. and produced multiple Group-winning G1 Haydock Sprint Cup third Rohaan (Ire) (Mayson {GB}). The March-foaled bay's fourth dam Green Wings (Ire) (General Assembly) is a half-sister to G3 King George S. runner-up Golden Green (Godswalk).

Sunday, Chantilly, France
PRIX DU GROS-CHENE-G2, €130,000, Chantilly, 6-2, 3yo/up, 5fT, :57.72, hy.
1–PONNTOS (IRE), 130, h, 6, by Power (GB)
1st Dam: Blessing Box (GB), by Bahamian Bounty (Ire)
2nd Dam: Bible Box (Ire), by Bin Ajwaad (Ire)
3rd Dam: Addie Pray (Ire), by Great Commotion
(€2,200 Wlg '18 GOFNOV; €6,800 Ylg '19 TIRSEP). O-Dr Eva Nieslanikova; B-Liam Butler & Churchtown House Stud (IRE); T-Miroslav Nieslanik; J-Mickael Barzalona. €74,100. Lifetime Record: SW & GSP-UAE, SW-Ity, 37-9-3-3, €409,506. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Mgheera (GB), 127, f, 4, Zoustar (Aus)–Blue Aegean (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€145,000 Ylg '21 ARQOCT; €3,500 3yo '23 ARQJUL). O-European Bloodstock Management & Mme Marie-Christelle Lacaille; B-David Redvers & Framont Ltd (GB); T-Manon Scandella-Lacaille. €28,600.
3–Pradaro (Fr), 130, g, 9, Penny's Picnic (Ire)–Vaillante (Ire), by Zilzal. (€42,000 Ylg '16 ARQAUG). O-Stal Vie En Rose; B-Guy Pariente Holding (FR); T-Sofie Lanslots. €13,650.
Margins: 2HF, 1 1/4, HD. Odds: 1.50, 12.00, 22.00.
Also Ran: Batwan (Fr), Vicious Harry (Fr), Coeur De Pierre (Fr), Game Run (Fr), Lesslepasser (Fr), Albasheer (Ire), Tudo Bem (Fr), La Rochette (Fr). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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