Just seven days on from his second place in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes to Babouche, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Whistlejacket put up a fine performance when making all the running to win the Group 1 Sumbe Prix Morny over six furlongs at Deauville on Sunday.

The chesnut was drawn two and was faster away than Shareholder in stall one and raced on the rail thought. Leading all the way, he never looked in doubt though the second Rashabar, drawn much wider in seven, deserves a lot of credit for his effort. The filly Daylight, under Mickael Barzalona, fared best of the French in third.

Rashabar and Sean Levey had to come widest to make their challenge, well away from Whistlejacket and though he came under a drive earlier than the winner, he stuck to the task all the way to the line, with three quarters of a length between first and second.

Disappointment of the race proved to be Norfolk Stakes winner Shareholder, held up and racing behind Whistlejacket on the rail, he found nothing when asked and was eased

Speaking on Sky Racing after the race, Aidan O’Brien said: “The boss thought he could do the two, the Heinz and the Morny. He’s a very fast horse, a typical No Nay Never, very, very quick, Ryan said the same, he had all the guns, all the way. They’ve all done a great job with this horse, but it was the boss’s decision to come back quick, he kind of decided that before the Irish race, if he came out of the race well.

Ryan just felt that the Irish race didn’t go exactly as he wanted. The last day, Ryan just felt that the two of them got together very early. The Curragh is a tough track.

“It was straight forward, he had a good draw, Ryan had a plan and that’s what he wanted to do, he gave him a brilliant ride as always.

When asked where the colt would go next, O’Brien said: “He’s a very fast horse, he’s a Middle Park type horse, Breeders’ Cup type horse.

It was the winner’s sixth run of the season and he was winning a race his sire won in 2013.

The son of No Nay Never was given a quote of 5/2 favourite for the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes (from 4) by Paddy Power.

The John and Thady Gosden stable have had a quieter season but the filly Friendly Soul made all to give them a nice success in the 10- furlong Group 2 Prix Alec Head under Kieran Shoemark.

George Strawbridge-owned Kingman three-year-old was making it four wins from her five outings.

Jessica Harrington's Sea The Boss finished fourth of the seven runners.