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‘Arcs Are Never Easy To Win’: Frankie Dettori Talks Enable’s Chances In Fourth Arc De Triomphe

Champion racemare Enable will run in her fourth edition of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe next Sunday, trying to become the first horse in history to win the race three times. The 6-year-old daughter of Nathaniel won the Arc in 2017 and 2018, but finished second to Waldgeist over testing ground in 2019.

Her jockey, Frankie Dettori, talked to the Racing Post on Friday about the mare's chances to make history.

“I'm sure Enable will run her very best as she always has in the Arc but that might not be good enough with the likes of Love getting 7 lbs,” Dettori said. “The 3-year-old fillies when they are that good like Zarkava, Treve, Danedream and Enable have proved a tough nut to crack in the past.

“Arcs are never easy to win as everyone will be there as they all want to win one including the Derby winner, Love, and Stradivarius.”

Trained by John Gosden, Enable won the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Group 3 September Stakes this year. Her current record stands at 12 wins from 15 starts, including the 2018 Breeders' Cup Turf.

Though the Arc is a “Win and You're In” for the Breeders' Cup Turf, it is expected to be Enable's final race before her retirement to the breeding shed.

Enable “Happy And Well” In Arc Prep

Newmarket’s Henry Cecil Open Weekend could not take place in its traditional format this year, but a wide array of HQ trainers nonetheless participated in virtual format.

John Gosden was chief among them, and he gave an update on the town’s most popular equine resident, Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), as she gears up for an attempt at a third win in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Oct. 4.

“Enable is very happy and well,” Gosden said. “She has been fine since the race at Kempton [the Sept. 5 G3 September S). She enjoyed that outing. It’s a massive task [the Arc], a big mountain to climb again. If it had gone quite right last year, she obviously wouldn’t be trying to do it this year.

“It looks a fantastic race; Aidan O’Brien is fielding a wonderful filly in Love, who naturally being a 3-year-old gets all the weight, which Enable benefited from when she won as a 3-year-old, and there are some great older horses. It is very exciting–she is in great form to attempt the impossible. Frankie [Dettori] will hopefully be here next week to ride her in some work and help bring her up to the race.”

Enable will meet her illustrious staying stablemate Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) for the first time on a racecourse in the Arc. Stradivarius shortened up to 2400 metres when second in the G2 Prix Foy on Sept. 13.

“In the Prix Foy, Mickael Barzalona was riding [winner] Anthony Van Dyck and he went nice gentle fractions,” Gosden said. “In the French trials they do not like to overdo them, they come into the straight and then kick. I thought for a two-and-a-half-mile Ascot Gold Cup winner he showed great acceleration down the straight. The other horses behind never got to them. I thought both horses ran lovely races and he came up a neck short. I could not have been happier with him.”

Two of Gosden’s Group 1-winning 3-year-olds, Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Mishriff (GB) (Make Believe {GB}), have dates on British Champions Day, in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. and G1 Qipco Champion S. respectively.

“We are very much looking at the QEII with Palace Pier,” Gosden said. “We were very happy with the [G1] Jacques le Marois–we wanted that straight mile for him. They did have an excessive amount of rain, so it was very soft, but he handled it well. There is a strong possibility that he stays in training as a 4-year-old, in which case it will probably be his last run of the season as we are getting deep into October. I didn’t really want to be whizzing him off to Hong Kong or America at this stage, maybe we will do that sort of thing next year. Hopefully he runs a big race in the QEII, and we will be waiting to run him again as a 4-year-old.”

Of the G1 Prix du Jockey Club victor Mishriff, Gosden added, “We thought about the Arc. We looked at the pedigree and to me, he is not fully furnished and strengthened yet. He is still improving and the Arc at this stage of his career could do more harm than good. We decided we will stay at a mile and a quarter and he will be going to the Champion S. I’d expect him to put up a pretty big show.”

Gosden said the G3 Cumberland Lodge S. could be on the agenda for last year’s G1 St Leger winner Logician (GB) (Frankel {GB}) following his recent winning return off an extended layoff due to peritonitis.

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Mogul, Anthony Van Dyck Could Target Arc De Triomphe After Weekend Victories

This Sunday ParisLongchamp was hosting to Qatar Arc Trials day. Just three weeks before Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, three separate events give us some clues before the big day.

• In the three-year-old colts division, the Irish-trained Mogul made a huge impression when dominating the field in the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Group 1).

• The distaff division saw another success for the Irish as Tarnawa took the Qatar Prix Vermeille, carrying the prestigious colours of HH The Aga Khan and ridden to perfection by adopted Frenchman Christophe Soumillon.

• And in the older horse division, they contested the Qatar Prix Foy… yet another Irish winner thanks to the mighty Anthony Van Dyck.

The betting for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe following Sunday's racing :

Love Ireland 6/4
Enable England 2/1
Magical Ireland 12/1
Ghaiyyath England 14/1
Mishriff England 14/1
Tiger Moth Ireland 14/1
Stradivarius England 16/1
Mogul Ireland 20/1
Raabihah France 20/1
Sottsass France 20/1

JUDDMONTE GRAND PRIX DE PARIS

Irish-trained Mogul (Galileo) landed the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris in impressive style. Keeping it in the family: Mogul's full brother Japan himself was an outstanding winner of this very race last season!

Mogul gave his trainer Aidan O'Brien a third consecutive win in the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris, having been successful with Japan in 2019 and Kew Gardens – another son of the world-famous stallion Galileo – in 2018.

Always faithful to his team, but owing to the restrictions in place due to Covid-19, Aidan O'Brien called up crack French jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot to take the ride Mogul. Pierre-Charles, nicknamed “PC” by his fans, actually won his very first Group 1 (race at the highest level) of his career in the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris when riding a horse owned by the same connections, Gallante, trained by André Fabre, back in July 2014.

Mogul hasn't had the perfect career and doesn't have a solid string of successes to his name, unlike some of the champions trained by Aidan O'Brien. But he has always been held in very high regard by his connections and was regularly chosen as the number one choice for Coolmore by the stable jockey.

Having only finished 6th in the Epsom Derby in July 2020, Mogul finally claimed his first Group 1 success in the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris and is now amongst the favourites for next month's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Pierre-Charles Boudot, jockey of Mogul (1st) :

« His trainer really was confident. When I had him on the phone before the course he explained to me that he was a horse that needed to be held up a bit, but had a huge turn of foot and that the longer I could wait, the better, as he doesn't do too much in front. There was no pressure and I let the others do the work. The pace was nice and constant. Turning in I had a feeling that I was going to get a run down the rail and the horse just picked them off one by one, he gave me his all just to the line, he was perfect. When I saw the pacemaker was still four or five lengths clear I knew that I would have plenty of time to make my move as he came back to me, the perfect scenario.

Coolmore is one of the biggest breeding operations in the world and it is always a pleasure, and honour to ride and to win for them. We will see if I get the ride on him in the Arc, it should be interesting! »

Mogul could find himself amongst the line-up for Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. But there is a chance Pierre-Charles Boudot may not be able to ride him and may have to side with Persian King (Kingman)recent impressive winner of the Prix du Moulin de Longchamp.

Francis-Henri Graffard, trainer of In Swoop (2nd) :

« Before the race, I would have been happy with second place, that's a great run. We were worried that he might have been found out for a bit of speed. He just keeps grafting away and Ronan knows him, he knows to keep after him. Just as I was hoping, he has finished off really strongly. Two weeks ago I would have never thought that he would have come here in such good condition, he takes his work well. I kept him going in strong work throughout the summer, he is very straightforward and willing. I think a softer ground would play to his strengths. He holds an entry in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Gr1), the Qatar Prix Chaudenay (Gr2) and the Grosser Preis von Bayern (Gr1): I will have a discussion with the owners and we will come to a decision »

The horse should run in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

QATAR PRIX VERMEILLE

After Mogul's victory in the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris, Ireland took a second Group 1 of the day at ParisLongchamp – the Qatar Prix Vermeille – thanks to Tarnawa (Shamardal), a filly owned by HH The Aga Khan and ridden by Christophe Soumillon.

Having been held up towards the rear of mid-division, the filly coasted through the field as they took the 'false homestretch' towed along by the O'Brien-trained Laburnum (Galileo). She then showed a lightning turn of foot to devour long time leader Dame Malliot (Champs Elysées) who set the early fractions under Frankie Dettori, his favourite position!

Tarnawa went on to cross the winning line with a healthy three-length margin over her rivals..

Today, Tarnawa – a well-bred compact filly bursting with a devastating turn of foot –could easily have reminded us of a certain Zarkava, the second last winner of the Vermeille for HH The Aga Khan…

The French-trained favourite for the race, Raabihah (Sea The Stars) finished strongly and got the better of Dame Malliot in the battle for second place having been sat in the last place as the field turned into the home straight.

Mark Weld, assistant to his father Dermot Weld, trainer of Tarnawa (1st) :

« She is a marvellous filly. The Prix Vermeille is a very, very prestigious race and she needed to be good to win there. S.he has lots of speed and class and deserves a Group 1 win She was very impressive when winning a Group 2 au Curragh last year, just like last month in a Group 3 at Cork. We have a lot of hopes for her and she is very straightforward. The whole family have got better with age, particularly the females. She is a pleasure to train and we are very lucky to have her. I have just spoken to my father and we will have a look at the next step, she holds an entry in the Prix de l'Opéra (Groupe 1), and she is comfortable over 2.000m, so that's a possibility”

The filly therefore will not take part in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Christophe Soumillon, jockey of Tarnawa (1st) :

« When I saw Cristian taking back on the favourite early on I wasn't expecting that. He normally rides her quite offensively and I was planning on taking a lead off her. So I said to myself, that not to worry, I will take another position. Frankie Dettori stayed a long time out in the middle and when I saw that it was going to bunch up I spotted Pierre-Charles Boudot up ahead in third. So I wheeled out from behind Vincent Cheminaud and took a leadoff Pierre-Charles. He brought me along perfectly into the final few furlongs. After that I only had to ask her to go about her work, it's a pleasure to ride one like that in a good race, always in my hands. We have been waiting for that for a while and its great! For the Arc, we will need to sit down and have a talk, it's a hot race this year and it's certainly not the same level as today. It's the world championships, with 18 or 20 runners, things don't happen as easily as they did today. We will have to see. She is very nice and we will have fun for the remainder of the year”

Jean-Claude Rouget, trainer of Raabihah (2nd) :

“She ran well, but now she is against tougher rivals. She is changing category, she has proved that she is the best three-year-old filly in France. We will see how she is over the next two weeks, but if she is well in herself she will run in the Arc”

QATAR PRIX FOY

The Irish Anthony Van Dyck (Galileo) set out to make every post a winning one in the Qatar Prix Foy (Group 2). Sent straight to the lead, he went on to fend off all challengers up the home straight. The win meant that the Irish secured a perfect three from three in the preparation races for next month's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Group 1).

His biggest rival, Stradivarius (Sea the Stars), was a persistent challenger. But for the long-distance specialist, today's 2.400m trip meant that he couldn't show his true quality.

Mickaël Barzalona, jockey of Anthony Van Dyck (1st) :

“We jumped off easily and I found myself in front, I left him to find a rhythm and let him go along bit by bit. I had a bit of trouble getting him to stretch out at the finish but once he sensed the attack of Stradivarius he pulled away again. I wasn't too worried because Stradivarius, as we see each time, makes up ground easily but sometimes gets caught for a bit of acceleration. He never comes in progression, getting a lead from the others. Turning in I gave him a breather before winding him up, I think my horse enjoyed that! In my opinion, he has every right to a place at the start of the Arc. He gets into a good rhythm and just keeps galloping in a straight and true line”

Bjorn Nielsen, owner and breeder of Stradivarius (1er) :

“ They have walked there and Frankie though he should have gone in front. The race has turned into a sprint and we were only beaten a neck. I don't know if he will run in the Arc, i need to speak with John Gosden but given how that race was run I wouldn't rule it out. The ground conditions on the day will not play a huge part, he goes better on good ground but can handle soft if needed”

Stradivarius could run in the Arc.

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Magnificent Seven To Relish On Sunday

As if Saturday’s action did not sate to the full, it is time to gorge while you can on Sunday with another seven top-level contests across Ireland, France and Germany. First up on the schedule is the delayed G1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris for the 3-year-old Arc aspirants, which affords the opportunity to welcome back the shock G1 Epsom Derby hero Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for the first time since his authoritative success in the July 4 blue riband. It will be fascinating to see how he copes with the demands of this different track, but Christophe Soumillon knows it like the back of his hand and the latest Derby hero from Ballydoyle is in safe hands as he takes over from Emmet McNamara. The latter so memorably steered him to that jaw-dropping eclipse of the “form horses” at Epsom, which included Bjorn Nielsen’s re-opposing English King (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) and fellow Rosegreen challenger Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), and which has subsequently been analysed inside out.

Serpentine’s Epsom performance was simply that of a high-class galloper on a different level to his peers and Aidan O’Brien is happy to let him do the talking. “We always thought he was a very smart middle-distance horse and even though he only had one run at two which looked very ordinary, we were very happy with his work at home,” he explained. “He was a horse that was very relentless in his work and would go an even, strong gallop and would not surrender and that’s the way he’s always been. We had to give him a good break and he’s done very well–physically he’s really rounded off since then. It will be a run to get him started back and we’ll see where we go after that.”

If there is a chance that Ryan Moore will be tempted off Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for the main event in three weeks’ time, it would only be for this colt despite the heroics of Magical (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) on Saturday. Another sensational display would put him in the reckoning for Coolmore’s number one and his handler is keen to see what unfolds in this prestigious prize usually set for the July 14 public holiday. “Obviously a race like the Arc or something like that would be possible, but either way we’re hoping we might have him for next year,” O’Brien added. “He’s a solid horse and I wouldn’t be fooled by what anyone thinks about Epsom–whatever race he runs in, if he makes the running you just need to go and follow him because he just doesn’t come back. He’s relentless and that’s the way he is. I heard everyone saying about Epsom and him getting a clear lead and all that kind of stuff and he did, but I don’t think there was anyone pulling or dragging too much to stay back off him.”

While not in Serpentine’s league, ‘TDN Rising Star’ Mogul is highly-regarded and decent in his own right and has been slowly building to a crescendo this season. After the Derby, he went on to beat Highland Chief (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and English King in the G3 Gordon S. over this 12-furlong trip on Goodwood’s tricky track on July 30, so it was a disappointment that he backtracked when only fourth as Highland Chief ran second in the G2 Great Voltigeur at York on Aug. 19. Gestut Schlenderhan’s July 12 G1 Deutsches Derby winner In Swoop (Ire) (Adlerflug {Ger}) and Claudio Marzocco and Man Bun Lee’s Aug. 8 G2 Prix Hocquart scorer Port Guillaume (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) add intrigue to a key trial for the Arc, but on the formbook Serpentine holds sway.

Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s Arc prospects may lie with the still-unexposed 3-year-old filly Raabihah (Sea the Stars {Ire}), who tackles the G1 Qatar Prix Vermeille after a close-up fourth in the July 5 G1 Prix de Diane and subsequent success in the G3 Prix de Psyche at Deauville on Aug. 1. Susan Magnier and Linda Shanahan’s July 18 G1 Irish Oaks heroine Even So (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) returns from her summer break after that Curragh Classic victory, while fellow Irish hopes rest with The Aga Khan’s Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal), who enjoys prominence among the older fillies and mares after her emphatic success under a penalty on her seasonal bow in the G3 Give Thanks S. over this 12-furlong trip on Aug. 8.

Curragh Hosts Action-Packed Card

Ireland’s Champions Weekend culminates with a stellar card at The Curragh, with the quartet of Group 1 contests kicked off by the Derrinstown Stud Flying Five S. Domestic hopes rest with Make a Challenge (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who seems to have run out of listed races to win in his native country but who has a thorn in his side in his July 19 G2 Sapphire S. conqueror A’Ali (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}). Three fast fillies from the North of England line up in the Aug. 21 G1 Nunthorpe S. runner-up Que Amoro (Ire) (Es Que Love {Ire}), last year’s G1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp heroine Glass Slippers (GB) (Dream Ahead) and Liberty Beach (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}) who was second to A’Ali in the July 5 G3 Sandown Sprint S. Paul Mulrennan rides Que Amoro and is hoping she can back up her huge effort last time. “She’s come out of York very well,” he said. “It was a hell of a run in the Nunthorpe–I’ve not seen many horses get Battaash off the bridle like she did, so it was a great effort. If she can reproduce that sort of performance this weekend, I think she’s the one they’ve all got to beat.”

This season’s key juveniles take in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. and G1 Goffs Vincent O’Brien National S., with John Oxley’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ Pretty Gorgeous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}) in pole position for the former after her success in the Aug. 22 course-and-distance G2 Debutante S on testing ground. She would be capping a golden week for Joseph O’Brien and holds Donnacha’s Shale (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Aidan’s Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) on that form. She has to do it all again, but her trainer is happy with her preparation for this feature. “I’m looking forward to running her–she’s a very exciting filly,” the Piltown handler said. “She couldn’t have been any more impressive last time in very heavy going. Obviously she handled that, but she’s also won on better ground, so she’s versatile ground-wise.” Shale had previously beaten Pretty Gorgeous on similar ground to this in the course-and-distance G3 Silver Flash S. on Aug. 6 and Donnacha is hoping that might make the difference. “It will be tough to beat Joseph’s filly, but I’m hoping that on nicer ground we can get a bit closer and possibly even put it up to her,” he commented.

In the National, Ballydoyle’s June 18 Listed Chesham S. and July 28 G2 Vintage S. winner Battleground (War Front) encounters Zhang Yuesheng’s Aug. 9 G1 Phoenix S. hero Lucky Vega (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and Godolphin’s July 11 G2 Superlative S. scorer Master of the Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in a fascinating tussle. Meeting them is Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez’s ‘TDN Rising Star’ and Aug. 9 course-and-distance maiden winner Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), Jim Bolger’s Aug. 22 G2 Futurity S. winner Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) and the July 18 G2 Railway S. scorer Laws of Indices (Ire) (Power {GB}) in what promises to be a barnstormer.

Charlie Appleby won this in 2018 and also 12 months ago with a certain juvenile sensation and is keen on his latest contender. “Master of the Seas has been very professional on both his runs so far and won the Superlative S. in good style. It was always the plan to give him a break before heading to the National S. and we have been very pleased with his preparation,” he said. “Physically he has done well and this is hopefully a nice progression to the next level. He is a very different horse to Pinatubo, in terms of physique and obviously what they have both achieved going into the race. Pinatubo went into the National S. with four runs already under his belt, while Master of the Seas has only had the two starts and is a lighter-framed horse by Dubawi. Quorto was similar to Pinatubo in terms of his stature, but his form going into this race was pretty much the same as Master of the Seas, with him having won twice at Newmarket including the Superlative S. Hopefully we can continue our good record in the race.”

Lucky Vega’s jockey Shane Foley said, “From day one he’s always been a nice horse. He had a little hold-up after his maiden win, which meant it was a bit of a rush getting to the Railway S. He got beat in that, but improved no end for it and showed what he was capable of in the Phoenix. He’s laid-back, so should have no problem going up to seven furlongs. Looking at it, it looks one of the races of the weekend, with Battleground and Master of the Seas.” Of Battleground, Aidan O’Brien said, “He’s a big, powerful horse and has done very well physically since Goodwood and we’re looking forward to running him. He’s handled good ground and slowish ground.” Joseph O’Brien could be enjoying more success with Thunder Moon and he said of him, “Obviously it’s a big step up in class from a maiden straight into a Group 1, but we didn’t have many other options. He’s in at the deep end, but couldn’t have won his debut any easier.”

Last year’s G1 Irish Derby hero Sovereign (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) heads the protagonists for the G1 Comer Group International Irish St Leger, having run 5 1/2-lengths second to Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco S. at Ascot on July 25. That form is probably good enough to issue revenge on Lloyd Williams’s Twilight Payment (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who probably caught him out when he was back in third needing the outing on his seasonal bow in the G3 Vintage Crop S. over this course and distance on June 27. Added to the mix is Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum’s Aug. 22 Ebor H. winner Fujaira Prince (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and last year’s winner Search For a Song (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who has taken time to come to herself this year but showed positive signs last time when third over an inadequate 10-furlong trip in the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup here on July 26.

The 10-furlong G2 Moyglare “Jewels” Blandford S. sees Ballydoyle’s indomitable Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) return to the scene of her emphatic win in the G2 Lanwades Stud S. over a mile on June 13. Aidan O’Brien said, “It’s a nice race to break her into the autumn–she’ll probably go on her travels after this. We’re not sure how far we can go. We think we can go to Hong Kong and America, but we have to do the quarantine beforehand. They would be the two big ones on her agenda.” Jessie Harrington’s Group 1-placed duo One Voice (Ire) (Poet’s Voice {GB}) and Cayenne Pepper (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and Peter Brant’s July 19 G2 Kilboy Estate S. winner Lemista (Ire) (Raven’s Pass) are other protagonists in a strong renewal.

Stradivarius Shortens Up In Foy

Of the other group races in evidence on Sunday, the most interesting is ParisLongchamp’s G2 Qatar Prix Foy, where Bjorn Nielsen’s Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) begins his Arc odyssey dropping back to the 12-furlong trip over which he was third as Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) was second in the G1 Coronation Cup at Newmarket on June 5. John Gosden is looking forward to seeing him back over the trip. “He’s sharpened up as a stronger, more powerful horse,” he commented. “He’s not what I call a big, one-paced staying type at all–he’s got a lot of speed this horse, so we’re looking forward to running him over a mile and a half. He’s in good form and I’m very happy with him. He’s worked nicely.”

“We don’t know how the race will be run–these French trials can just be run from the head of the straight,” the Clarehaven handler added. “We’ll leave it to Frankie, but we couldn’t be more pleased with the horse. We have trained him to sharpen him a bit, but he’s wanted to and let us do it. He has sharpened in his work, which was very much the plan, but we haven’t done anything dramatically different because he rather likes the way he’s been trained.”

Godolphin’s G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S. hero Earthlight (Ire) (Shamardal) takes centre stage in the seven-furlong G3 Qatar Prix du Pin at ParisLongchamp, adding another dimension to a day of top-class action from start to finish. That he is a bit-player on the day speaks volumes about the quality of the racing throughout the afternoon and a win here would restore confidence after a first career defeat when fourth in the Maurice de Gheest and put him on the right track ahead of the autumn. Godolphin’s Lisa-Jane Graffard said, “Earthlight is in excellent form and both the track and trip should suit him.”

The G1 Longines Grosser Preis von Baden features Barney Roy (GB) (Excelebration {Ire}), who bids for a second top-level success in this country after the 10-furlong G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis at Munich on July 26. He renews rivalry with Stall Salzburg’s Quest The Moon (Ger) (Sea the Moon {Ger}), who was a neck back in second on that occasion, while Darius Racing’s Donjah (Ger) (Teofilo {Ire}) looks to supplement her latest win in Cologne’s G1 Preis von Europa over this 12-furlong trip on Aug. 15. Charlie Appleby said of Barney Roy, “We were pleased with Barney Roy’s first start over a mile and a half in the Preis von Europa, when the soft ground wasn’t to his liking. Looking at the forecast for this weekend, it looks as though it will be a good, sound surface for him. His preparation has gone well and he is coming up against a similar group to that he faced last time, so we are hopeful of another decent performance.”

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