THERE was no luck for the sole Irish-trained runner, Joseph O’Brien’s Dignam in the group races at Chantilly last Saturday. There were, however, two successes for a British yard, when Charlie Johnston and Archie Watson picked up Group 3 wins.

Christophe Soumillon combined with Johnston to win the Group 3 Prix de Conde over nine furlongs, with the German-bred Lazy Griff making all and winning by a neck from outsider Gezora, with favourite Shandana four lengths back in third. Dignam finished fifth of the seven runners. The colt has been made favourite for next year’s German Derby.

A return for the 10-furlong Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud at the end of October is the target, with connections hoping any soft ground will be no hinderance.

It was the turn of Mickael Barzalona to team up with Archie Watson for success in the Group 3 Prix Eclipse over six furlongs for two-year-olds.

The Irish-bred Electrolyte, a colt by Hello Youmzain and owned by Wathnan Racing, made virtually all to win by a nose from Polyvega and the favourite Fraise Des Bois.

Electrolyte had been narrowly denied by Rashabar in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. A return to France for the Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte in a few weeks may be on the cards, with next season’s Commonwealth Cup mentioned by his trainer as a longer term target.

The other group race on the card, the Group 3 Prix Bertrand de Tarragon for fillies and mares over nine furlongs, went to Andromede.

The Sea The Stars five-year-old is trained by Francis-Henri Graffard for Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani and she justified favouritism by a head under Christophe Soumillon.