Tis Marvellous runs away from pack in French Prix Robert Papin

Tis Marvellous went from a maiden-race winner in England to a group-stakes winner in France in less than two weeks with a victory in Sunday’s $142,500 Prix Robert Papin for 2-year-old colts and fillies at Maisons-Laffitte Racecourse, near Paris.

Tis Marvellous (7-2) won the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin at 5 1/2 furlongs by 2 1/2 lengths over 2-1 Al Johrah. The Prix Robert Papin was the first start for Al Johrah since a second to the American-trained Lady Aurelia in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes for fillies at Royal Ascot on June 15.

Ridden by Adam Kirby for British-based trainer Clive Cox, Tis Marvellous took the lead shortly after the start. Kirby urged Tis Marvellous clear in the final quarter-mile with little threat from the chasing pack of five runners.

Al Johrah finished four lengths clear of Kentucky-bred Hargeisa, a Speightstown filly who won the Group 3 Premio Primi Passi in Italy on June 26.

Prince of Lir, the winner of the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 16, finished fifth as the 7-5 favorite. Prince of Lir was near Tis Marvellous early, but could not sustain the rally.

Tis Marvellous, by the Acclamation stallion Harbour Watch, is owned by Julie Deadman and Stephen Barrow. The colt has won 2 of 3 starts. He was second in a maiden race at Newbury Racecourse in England on June 30 before winning a maiden race at Windsor, west of London, on July 11.

Deadman and Barrow, and Cox, have won the Prix Robert Papin twice in the last five years. In 2012, they won with Reckless Abandon.