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Permian just denied in Paris

Permian and William Buick land the King Edward VII
Image: Permian and William Buick land the King Edward VII

Permian was just denied a richly-deserved Group One success by Shakeel in the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris.

The Mark Johnston-trained Permian - only third in a Bath handicap on his seasonal debut in April - was having his seventh start of the year and was bidding to open his account at the top level after chalking up Group Two wins in the Dante Stakes and the King Edward VII Stakes.

William Buick's mount disputed matters through the early strides with Falcon Wings, but soon went on and was still answering every call deep inside the final furlong as Christophe Soumillon and Shakeel threw everything at him.

As they flashed past the post, it looked like Johnston's charge might just have held on, but the verdict of the photo-finish told another story.

The mile-and-a-half event, the racing highlight of Bastille Day in France, was again staged this year at Saint-Cloud as its traditional home of Longchamp undergoes redevelopment.

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Permian was one of two horses supplemented along with Stefano Botti's unbeaten Italian Derby scorer Mac Mahon. Venice Beach did best of Aidan O'Brien's three runners in third, staying on well and not beaten far.

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