TWO more Group 1 classics were run last weekend, with the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) going to the undefeated filly La Cressonniere (by Le Havre), whose pedigree I reviewed here in March, and the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) going to a colt who could be one of the brightest stars of 2016.

The Gurkha made his debut over a mile on ground described as soft-to-heavy at Leopardstown in early April, finishing a six and a quarter length third behind Claudio Monteverdi. Similar underfoot conditions prevailed when he reappeared at Navan 11 days later, but this time he stormed home by nine lengths.