Alexis Badel rode a brilliant treble at Chukyo racecourse on Sunday to continue his great start to his summer stint in Japan.

The French rider was granted a short-term licence by the JRA and has wasted little time in making his mark, riding a trio of winners on his first race weekend.

Winning on outsider Saccarello on his first ride last Saturday, Badel then struck on Mediterranean for Northern Farm – who are sponsoring his licence – and Peaceful Night the next day.

Things would only get better for Badel seven days later, as he won his first Graded race aboard Mario Road in the Listed Meitetsu Hai (1,800m) on Sunday.

That was part of another treble on the weekend for the 35-year-old, who also secured wins aboard Arrondie and Ma Vie.

Fallen Angel wins Prix Rothschild as Hamelin returns home

Outgoing Hong Kong jockey Antoine Hamelin had his first ride back home in France at Clairefontaine on Saturday.

He was riding outsider Nobel Breath in Listed company and finished ninth. He was also meant to ride on Deauville’s Group One card on Sunday, but his intended mount was scratched.

That card was simulcast on Sunday, and it was the Karl Burke-trained Fallen Angel who won the feature Group One Prix Rothschild (1,600m).

He survived a steward's inquiry to beat the favourite January - trained by Aidan O’Brien - by a head, rallying back to the lead after being headed 50 metres out under Danny Tudhope.

It was a frustrating weekend on the simulcast cards for O’Brien, who also saw short-price favourite Garden Of Eden finish only ninth in the Group One Henkel-Preis der Diana (2,200m) at Dusseldorf.

Nicoreni won the race for trainer Peter Schiergen and jockey Leon Wolff, who was riding his first Group One winner.

Long-time leader Innora finished second, while Nyra finished third as the home team dominated the finish.

Poon and Chung in Britain

Matthew Poon Ming-fai and Angus Chung Yik-lai were at Glorious Goodwood to watch the action last week as they continued their British summers.

Poon was riding out for trainer Alice Haynes at Newmarket, while Chung was in racing action at Windsor last Monday for Craig Benton.

He was riding 100-1 shot Dreamcrafter and was down the field as expected, but it was more good experience for 28-year-old.