Arc hope Mqse De Sevigne eased for Longchamp despite racking up third Group 1 win on the trot in Prix Romanet

Mqse De Sevigne prevailed in a fierce battle to the line to continue her unbeaten season with a second success in the Group 1 Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet. 

The five-year-old mare secured her fourth win of the year but had to fight for every inch of the success under a determined ride from Alexis Pouchin. 

Racing in the rear, the winner was forced to first see off Blue Rose Cen before the Joseph O'Brien-trained American Sonja rallied to claw back the deficit to just a head. O'Brien filled out the places when Maxux pipped Blue Rose Cen at the line for third. 

Although the close success may not have been the authoritative triumph expected of the 1-5 favourite, the biggest winning margin of her career is just a length and a half and trainer Andre Fabre was unruffled by the manner of her latest success. 

"She's never won more than a head in the big races, so this is nothing new and we get used to it," he said. "She's a great mare, she's beautiful, and she has all you can expect from a thoroughbred."

Mqse De Sevigne completed the "double double" of the Prix Rothschild and Prix Jean Romanet in consecutive years

It was a similar story 12 months ago, when Mqse De Sevigne came out on top in narrow tussle with Via Sistina in this race before suffering her sole defeat in her last seven starts when runner-up to Inspiral in the Sun Chariot Stakes in October. 

After opening this season with a Listed success, the homebred mare of Edouard de Rothschild has now rattled off three Group 1 victories on the bounce and will swap Newmarket for Longchamp this time round, and head straight to the Arc despite being eased to 33-1 (from 20) by Coral and Betfair. 

"The 2,400 metres should be fine for her as the family has plenty of stamina," added Fabre, who became the most successful trainer of this Group 1 race with four victories. 

Mqse De Sevigne and Alexis Poucin after winning the Prix Jean Romanet for the second year

The mare may be joined by her well-fancied stablemate Sosie in the Longchamp Group 1 contest on October 6 but is unlikely to reoppose American Sonja or Maxux, who could instead contest other top-level targets after delighting O'Brien with their game efforts. 

"I'm very proud of both fillies and both of them achieved Group 1 placings for the first time," he said. "They ran their hearts out and got very good rides from Dylan [Browne McMonagle] and Mickael [Barzalona]. The winner is a champion and I'm proud to get so close to her.

"Both of these fillies will race at Group 2 and Group 1 level in France and Ireland from now until the end of the season. They'll both also handle ground softer than today."

Read these next:

Whistlejacket rallies to deny Rashabar and give Aidan O'Brien a fifth Group 1 Prix Morny success 

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.