Sunday victory for Robin Of Navan in Germany
Harry Dunlop was thrilled to see his stable star Robin Of Navan end a two-year winless streak with an impressive triumph in Germany.
It will be four years in November since the son of American Post clinched his career-defining Group One success in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud - and he did not manage to get his head in front again until landing a Group Three at Chantilly in June, 2017.
Now a six-year-old, Robin Of Navan has struggled for form this season - most recently finishing down the field in last month's Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot - but he roared back to something like his best in Sunday's Group Two Meilen Trophy at Dusseldorf.
Ridden by Alexander Pietsch for the first time, Dunlop's charge was in front from an early stage and shot clear in the straight to seal victory.
Ed Walker's Indian Blessing made late gains to fill the runner-up spot and make it a British one-two.
Dunlop said: "I'm absolutely delighted with him. He's now won a race in every category - from Listed to Group One level. A Group Two was the one missing, so it's great to get it.
"Alexander Pietsch gave him a super ride. He made the running on him, which is what we used to do, and he's loved the track and the fast ground.
"He was quite well fancied for the Hunt Cup, and I think he's just been a bit unlucky this year. We changed the tactics and tried to hold him up, and he's just run into trouble.
"It's great to see him back to something like the horse he used to be."
The Lambourn handler would love to see Robin Of Navan double his top-level tally at some stage, adding: "He obviously likes racing in Germany and France, and it would be fun to have another go at a Group One if we can.
"It's tough for him at that level in Britain, so we've got to be sensible about it. Hopefully we can find him a suitable Group One somewhere abroad before the year is out."
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