Rayif roars back to his best to land Prix Jacques le Marois

Francis-Henri Graffard added yet another Group 1 crown to his collection when French 2000 Guineas winner Rayif battled to victory in the Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville.

French 2000 Guineas hero Rayif bounced back to form to repel a strong raiding party in the Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.

Francis-Henri Graffard's colt struck Classic gold on what was his seasonal debut in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains in early May, but his summer campaign has been interrupted, with a planned visit to Royal Ascot scuppered by a minor setback after which he ran a little below par when fifth in the Prix Jean Prat.

He had plenty on his plate stepping back up to a mile, with Aidan O'Brien's Irish 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes winner Precise the hot favourite after bumping into top-class older filly Blue Bolt on her last couple of starts.

Fozzy Stack's Prix Jean Prat victor Thesecretadversary took the field along for much of the way, closely pursued by Karl Burke's Zeus Olympios, who looked the likely winner after quickening to the lead inside the final furlong.

But Mickael Barzalona delivered Rayif with a withering late run and he got up to deny Zeus Olympios an elusive first Group One success, with Precise close up behind in third.

"I'm very happy, it's a wonderful race to win, a very hard race to win," said Graffard.

"I kept my confidence in the horse. He ran pretty well the other day with excuses and he was in top form (today). Over that course you need the perfect trip and we had the perfect trip today.

Hollie Doyle: Expect Thunder Call to play a part in Shergar Cup at Ascot live on Sky Sports Racing on Saturday

Shergar Cup: Jamie Lynch's five horses to follow at Ascot on Saturday as international stars battle it out

Kevin Doyle: Former Premier League striker chasing Cheltenham Festival glory with Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi

Ascot: Kalpana defeats Calandagan in King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes battle

Derby: Benvenuto Cellini leads four-strong Aidan O'Brien team for Epsom Classic

"He travelled really well and picked up really nicely, he's very tough and game.