Dick Turpin achieves runaway victory in Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly

Dick Turpin finally achieved the Group One success that had seemed destined to elude him in the Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly today, when he beat a useful field with surprising authority. Richard Hannon's colt, who started the season by besting his stablemate Canford Cliffs in the Greenham, had been runner-up in top-class races on his last three outings. He was again expected to struggle against the odds-on Lope De Vega, who had been too good for him in the French Guineas, but instead he shot past the favourite with two furlongs to run and came home four lengths clear of Siyouni. Lope De Vega finished last. The winning jockey, Richard Hughes, said: "You get some horses like that which never get to win one and finish second all the time but, now Dick Turpin's broken his duck, the pressure is off." Speculation will grow that Dick Turpin may again clash with Canford Cliffs in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood at the end of this month, which would be their fourth meeting of the year, with the score 2-1 in Dick Turpin's favour. Hannon's son and assistant, also Richard, said plans had not been set for either horse. Paul Hanagan, who holds a clear lead in the jockeys' championship, hopes to be back in action at Ripon tomorrow night, despite having given up most of his rides at Ayr today after being kicked in the face by his intended mount in the opener. After that horse was withdrawn, Hanagan was fifth in the next race before standing himself down. "He's taken a crack across his nose," said his agent, Richard Hale, "and he obviously doesn't feel too good at the minute but he says he'll be fine by tomorrow night. He tried to ride but he just felt a bit dizzy. "As long as his eyes don't close up and he can breathe OK, I'm sure he'll be fine. If there's any problem with his breathing, he obviously won't be able to ride."