BRUNDTLAND battled back gamely to maintain his unbeaten record in the Group 2 Qatar Prix Chaudenay at ParisLongchamp.

In giving the British raiders a flying start to the two-day Arc meeting, the Prix Niel winner relished every yard of the 15-furlong trip.

William Buick attempted to make all on the son of Dubawi, but he looked a sitting duck a furlong out with challengers on either side.

While Mystic Sunrise dropped away, Lillian Russell, also in Godolphin silks for Henri-Alex Pantall, went about a neck up at one stage.

Just as he had last time though, Brundtland showed a likeable attitude and fought back to the front, winning cosily in the end.

Appleby said: “Coming into the race, we thought he would take all the beating and it was a very good ride from the front by William.

“It looks like the further he goes, the more improvement we’ll see. That’s it for him now and when he comes back in the spring, it will be over a mile and a half.

“Obviously I’m pleased we didn’t go for the Arc with him because he’s not ready for that. Another run in a race like the Chaudenay was the way for him, and we can build away next year.

“He showed his class in the closing stages and William thinks he’ll have no problem dropping back to a mile and a half.

“When he came into the straight and was challenged, I was confident he wouldn’t drop away, it was if something was good enough to pick him up.

“He showed his guts and determination and stuck it out well. We came here with confidence and he hasn’t let us down.”