Beaten Arc favourite Sosie back with a bang for Andre Fabre in first Group 1 of the year in Europe

Sosie showed he will be a force to be reckoned with over middle distances this year when successfully conceding race-fitness to his key rivals in the Prix Ganay over a trip many will have deemed short of his best.

Last season's Grand Prix de Paris and Prix Niel winner was last seen when sent off favourite for the Arc and, while he was far from disgraced in fourth behind Bluestocking, the market preferred the rising status of Prix d'Harcourt winner Map Of Stars for Sunday's contest.

Maxime Guyon never let the leaders get too far ahead and the son of Sea The Stars showed a smart turn of foot on ground no worse than good to soft, before holding the late challenge of Map Of Stars to score by a neck over the extended mile and a quarter.

A delighted Andre Fabre said: "He's improved with age and we can now consider races like the King George."

Sosie's Group 1 victory at Longchamp capped a fantastic 45 minutes for owner-breeders Alain and Gerard Wertheimer following the victorious return of Arc runner-up Aventure in the Prix Allez France.

Racing manager Pierre-Yves Bureau said: "Beforehand we were very clear, they hadn't run since the Arc and had spent the winter at home on the farm, so I have to say well done to the team for their work with Sosie and Aventure.

"I don't think it was a case of Sosie's readiness, rather he's just a very good horse, and this confirmed what he showed during a wonderful campaign last year.

"It's great he's won a Group 1 over this distance, which gives the lie to certain people's view that he thrives only over 2,400 metres [mile and a half]."

Sosie was cut by bookmakers to 14-1 or 16-1 for the Arc, from around 20s.

Maxime Guyon gives Sosie a celebratory pat after winning the Group 1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp

Maxime Guyon gives Sosie a celebratory pat after winning the Prix GanayCredit: Racing Post/Burton

Bureau added: "Everything is open to him; there's the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, the King George, while we'll also talk to Andre to see whether we consider races like the Eclipse over a shorter trip. The second half of the year will be geared towards another try in the Arc."

A future meeting with Map Of Stars would be an intriguing prospect, given the runner-up was held in by Horizon Dore for a few strides at the top of the straight, before the principals ducked under 22 seconds for the final two furlongs.

Richard Brown, racing manager for Map Of Stars's owner Wathnan Racing, felt there was plenty to take out of a first crack at Group 1 company.

"He ran a very creditable race," said Brown. "You want to win, but we've been beaten by a very good horse and he's shown he's up to this level.

"Probably a couple of things turning in didn't help; the horse behind him made quite a quick move and I think Mickael [Barzalona] felt he'd have liked to have made his move a little more smoothly.

"He ended up out wide and he's still quite babyish, but let's not make any excuses. He's run a very good race and we've always maintained that a mile and a half is probably going to be his thing.

"We'll have a chat with Francis [Graffard, trainer] and make a plan. Royal Ascot is a very important meeting for us and, looking at a mile and a half, he just settles so beautifully and my initial reaction would be the Hardwicke."

Map Of Stars and Mickael Barzalona ahead of the Prix Ganay at Longchamp

Map Of Stars and Mickael Barzalona ahead of the Prix GanayCredit: Racing Post/Burton

Al Riffa looked a threat turning in but was one of the first to come under pressure, and it was Royal Rhyme and Clifford Lee who came out on top in the fight for third place.

"He's got two very good horses in front of him and we think he's improved this year," said trainer Karl Burke. "When he gets very soft ground he could go close in a Group 1 race.

"He's in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and he'll be put in the Prince of Wales's Stakes. Whether he goes to Ireland depends on the ground."

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