Dariyan’s Mister Saint Paul Defies the Odds in the Prix La Force

[Wandering Eyes]

Etienne and Gregoire Leenders trainee Mister Saint Paul (Fr) (Dariyan {Fr}) took five attempts to shed maiden status as a juvenile, doing so in Deauville's Oct. 20 Listed Prix Isonomy, and came back this term to finish just off the podium in Saint-Cloud's Mar. 19 Listed Prix Omnium II, his most recent outing. Virtually unconsidered as the 217-10 outsider-of-six for Sunday's G3 Prix La Force at ParisLongchamp, he turned the form book upside down and exhibited a tenacious attitude to record a career high in the nine-furlong test. The eventual winner was swiftly into stride for early control and stacked up the field in behind, but was headed by Tumbler (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) as that rival tanked to the front at the halfway mark. Easing back to the fore soon after turning for home, he came under increased pressure inside the two pole and was driven out to deny his Omnium conqueror Dreamflight (GB) (Frankel {GB}) by a fast-diminishing short head for a career high in game fashion.

“Nobody believed in this horse at odds of 22-1, but we had faith in him because he's a real fighter and puts his heart into everything on the track,” commented trainer Gregoire Leenders. “His jockey [Theo Bachelot] gave him a beautiful ride and we are delighted for the owners. I'd also like to thank the staff at home for all their hard work in making these days possible. I think, and I've always thought, he is better over a mile. He's entered in the [May 15 G1] Poule d'Essai des Poulains and [June 5 G1] Prix du Jockey and the result of today's race tells us that both remain possibilities. We will take time to enjoy this before deciding on the route forward.”

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