Lethal Force defeated in Deauville

Lethal Force seen demolishing his field in the Darley July Cup. Image copyright of Racingfotos.com

British sprinting sensation Lethal Force was denied a historical third consecutive Group 1 victory after Moonlight Cloud danced her way to another Prix Maurice De Gheest success.

Lethal Force, who has won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and Darley July Cup this season, was bidding at Deauville to become the first horse since Dayjur in 1990 to win three Group 1 sprints in succession.

However, the Clive Cox-trained four-year-old was undone by the superior Moonlight Cloud, who went on to win her third Prix Maurice De Gheest by one and three quarter lengths.

Lethal Force was sent in to his now customary front-running role by rider Adam Kirby in the early stages, with the 2012 Diamond Jubilee runner-up settled in the midfield.

But, with a furlong to go, Moonlight Cloud proved too strong for her rivals and pounced down the outside before readily extending her lead across the finish line to record a hat-trick of wins in this race.

Gordon Lord Byron, who finished second behind Society Rock in the Haydock Sprint Cup last season, ended up third, following a spirited run late-on under in-form Johnny Murtagh.

The Haydock Sprint Cup is on the agenda for Gordon Lord Byron, whose connections will be hoping to go one better from last year.

Aidan O’Brien’s Gale Force Ten, who finished four and a half lengths behind Lethal Force in the July Cup, finished a disappointing 11^th.