Lazzat back with perfect Royal Ascot prep

Lazzat added yet another Group victory to his already impressive record with an easy success in the G3 Prix du Palais-Royal at ParisLongchamp, delivering the perfect prep run for the defence of his Royal Ascot title. 

A hugely consistent and likeable performer for Jerome Reynier, Lazzat, now five, landed his second Group 1 when winning the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes last June and he has continued to compete at the top level around the world since then. He was only narrowly beaten when he returned to Ascot in October for the Qipco British Champions Sprint, and he followed up with placed finishes in both the G2 1351 Turf Sprint in Riyadh and the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on Dubai World Cup.

His four-and-a-half length success under jockey Michael Barzalona on a stellar card in Paris on Thursday evening was Lazzat’s first run back after a short break following his return from the Middle East.

“Mickael was delighted. It was a very good performance today, he really lengthened. All roads now lead back to Ascot,” said Wathnan Racing’s representative Freddie Morley at Ascot.

“Jerome wanted to give him a run today and he’s gone and done what we wanted to do. It’s a real confidence-booster into the big day.”