Victor Ludorum suffers shock reverse in Fontainebleau

PA Sport Reporters
May 11, 2020 12:15 pm

Arc-winning rider Boudot strikes on The Summit.

Hot favourite Victor Ludorum suffered a shock defeat as outsider The Summit secured a front-running victory in the Prix de Fontainebleau at ParisLongchamp.

Victor Ludorum was last seen when winning the Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere last October and was expected to cement his Classic claims in this trial for the French 2000 Guineas over a mile.

However, Andre Fabre’s runner raced keenly in the early stages as Mickael Barzalona struggled to find any cover, with The Summit setting the gallop from the off.

Impressive! The Summit gets a cracking ride from @PCBOUDOT to upset the hot favourite Victor Ludorum and win the Group 3 Prix de Fontainebleau at @paris_longchamp pic.twitter.com/thO4sVHkFW
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 11, 2020

The leader was still travelling well within himself as the field turned for home, with Arc-winning jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot seemingly having a bit still up his sleeve as he pushed his mount on with about two furlongs to run.

Victor Ludorum could not go with him and only Ecrivain – who did not enjoy the clearest of passages in the straight – looked a danger, eventually having to settle for a fast-finishing second.

The favourite was only third and was immediately pushed out to 7-2 from 7-4 for the French Guineas by Betfair. The same firm make The Summit an 8-1 chance for trainer Henri-Alex Pantall.