Racing: Ben's Gladness

LESTER PIGGOTT and College Chapel were odds-on failures in the Group Three Gladness Stakes at The Curragh yesterday, losing out to the John Oxx-trained Ridgewood Ben. The winner provided Michael Kinane with a winning return to Irish racing after being in action in Hong Kong as recently as Saturday.

Piggott reported that College Chapel 'felt a bit rusty and took his time to get going', while the winner will be back at The Curragh in a fortnight for the Tetrarch Stakes. 'He needs the experience and is well suited by soft ground,' Oxx said. 'He is entered for the Irish 2,000 Guineas, but we will take things one at a time.'

At Longchamp, Gunboat Diplomacy laid out his candidature for the Prix du Jockey-Club with a smooth six- length win in the Group Two Prix Noailles. He is unbeaten since being bought out of a claimer by Daniel Wildenstein in October. The favourite, Francois Boutin's Kentucky Derby hope Zindari, was sixth.