Classic and Group seconds in Ireland and five out of five in France. Rayeni put up a most commendable performance when stepping up in class to take second place in the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday. The John Oxx-trained son of Indian Ridge was racing for the first time since his juvenile victory in the Gr 3 Killavullen Stakes, and only his third career start. The colt adapted well to the testing going and his future campaign is now likely to be determined by the presence of cut in the ground.

At the same meeting, lightly raced Alaiyan was just pipped at the post to finish a head second in the Gr 3 Gallinule Stakes. Alayian, who opened his account at Gowran Park earlier in the month, is a Kalanisi half-brother to dual Gr 3 winner Alayan and to Gr 2 runner-up Alarazi.

In France HH Aga Khan’s stable has enjoyed a run of success in the early part of the week, with five colour bearers completing a clean sweep on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Highlight of these is the extremely promising Beheshtam, who returned to the track just 2 weeks after his winning debut at Maisons-Laffitte. At Longchamp this time, the son of Gr 2 Prix Hubert de Chaudenay winner Behkara and grandson of Gr 1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Behera took his time to find a gap but nevertheless made up the lost ground to score by a short neck in the Prix de l’Avre. This Listed event over a mile and a half is often a good indicator for the future and trainer Alain de Royer Dupré indicated that his charge will remain over the classic distance, with the Gr 1 Grand Prix de Paris his main target for the summer. Later in the day Zaidpour, a son of Prix de Diane winner Zainta and therefore half-brother to Triumph Hurdler Zaynar, lifted the Prix du Musée Carnavelet unraced 3yo contest.

HH Aga Khan and Alain de Royer Dupré had already picked up a double the previous day at Compiègne, courtesy of Varenar who took the Class B Prix de Montdidier and Sadiri, who dead-heated for victory in the Prix du Vermandois. By Rock of Gibraltar, Varenar is half-brother to numerous Stakes performers including Gr 2 Prix Greffulhe winner Visindar. Sadiri is a son of Dr Fong and Gr 2 Prix de Malleret winner Sage et Jolie.

Finally juvenile Siyouni confirmed the potential he had shown on his debut when running out an easy winner of the Class A Prix Blushing Groom over the straight five furlongs of Maisons-Laffitte under a motionless Christophe Soumillon. Out of Listed-winning Jean-Luc Lagardère-bred mare Sichilla, Siyouni should now contest the Listed Prix la Flèche at the same track.

Updated on 28/05/2009