Nathaniel’s Bubble Gift Gets Up Late In The Niel

[Wandering Eyes]

Zak Bloodstock's G2 Prix Hocquart victor Bubble Gift (Fr) (Nathaniel {Ire}), last seen finishing sixth to Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in ParisLongchamp's July 14 G1 Grand Prix de Paris, was yet another weekend winner subjected to the rigours of a stewards' enquiry and doubled his pattern-race tally after an inquest into Sunday's G2 Prix Niel back at the Bois de Boulogne venue. The 22-5 chance, who was also runner-up in Chantilly's June 20 G3 Prix du Lys in his penultimate start, was the last of five into stride and employed patient tactics from the outset of this 12-furlong Arc trial. Bustled along in early straight, he made continued headway into second entering the final furlong and stayed on relentlessly under a late drive to oust familiar foe Baby Rider (Fr) (Gleneagles {Ire}) by a nose on the line.

“That was close and I thought he'd finished second so it was a nice surprise when the result was announced,” said winning trainer Mikel Delzangles. “He was in very good condition leading up to this comeback and I expected him to run a really good race. He's in the [Oct. 3 G1 Prix de l'] Arc [de Triomphe back over this course and distance], but it will probably be an extremely tough race. We'll not make any decision just yet and I'll go home and discuss plans with the owners.”

Pascal Bary was similarly non-committal on the next target for runner-up Baby Rider and added, “It's tough to lose it on the line, but he ran a great race. He's in the Arc and I shall talk to the owner before coming to a final decision.”

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