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When The Going Gets Soft For Poules Day In Paris

As it was at Newmarket, ParisLongchamp's ground is going to take some getting through for the protagonists in Sunday's G1 Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains and G1 Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and it is safe to say that appreciation of give underfoot is essential.

That applies to several of the star colts and fillies lining up for the first domestic Classics and it is certain to be no worse than the testing going that Isaac Shelby (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) had to deal with at Newbury last time. Leading home the riderless Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in his last race in the Sangster silks in the seven-furlong G3 Greenham S., Wathnan Racing's acquisition was adding to his fast-ground G2 Superlative S. success as a juvenile, so versatility is assured.

Brian Meehan has spent a while in the Classic wilderness and this is a key moment for the Manton-based trainer who last enjoyed Group 1 success 11 years ago. “He has been working great,” he said. “The Guineas was a nice form boost in a funny sort of way. I know they are saying it will be heavy ground, but it doesn't really matter what sort of ground we get–we are going to get whatever we get. The thing is, he is there on good-to-firm and soft, so we'll take our chance.”

Flying The Flag

France's defence of the Poulains may rest with Malcolm Parrish's American Flag (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who beat the re-opposing Kendly (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) in convincing fashion in the Listed Prix Omnium II at Saint-Cloud in March before following up in the course-and-distance G3 Prix de Fontainebleau last month. That form has taken a knock subsequently and there is no telling at the moment how good Yann Barberot's stable star is. “The horse is in great shape,” his trainer said. “He appreciates the very soft terrain and he has a very good mentality. He knows Longchamp and I am confident for Sunday.”

Good Knight?

Trailing Isaac Shelby in the Greenham, KHK Racing's TDN Rising Star Knight (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) has to rebound with the form of his G3 Horris Hill S. now also looking to have more holes in it than at the start of the season. Whether the deep promise of his Yarmouth debut can be fulfilled is the burning question for Simon and Ed Crisford. “I don't know what happened at Newbury to be honest, but the horse has bounced out of the Greenham,” Ed Crisford said. “He just didn't go a yard and there's nothing much to say about that other than it was very disappointing. He seems to have come alive and come on for that race, so he's going to France and hopefully he can run a big race albeit he has to prove it now.”

Anybody's Guess

On the face of it, Hisaaki Saito's Good Guess (GB) (Kodiac {GB})) has something to find even allowing for his G3 Prix Djebel success from TDN Rising Star Breizh Sky (Fr) (Pedro The Great) and Fabrice Chappet would not have been heartened by the draw in eight. What effect that post position will have this year, with only 10 runners, remains to be seen and Breizh Sky is even wider in the outside stall. Alain Jathiere's colour-bearer is beginning to look a habitual “nearly horse” and he needs a strong pace to run at, which is not guaranteed here.

Trainer Alessandro Botti is clinging on to hope that things will fall right for Breizh Sky at some point. “The forecast very soft ground shouldn't be a problem for him, as he finished third in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere when there was plenty of give,” he said. “His comeback effort in the Prix Djebel was quite good, but the race was devoid of pace and things panned out perfectly for Good Guess.”

An Unfolding Story

When Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) encountered Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) in the course-and-distance G1 Prix Marcel Boussac, it was Yeguada Centurion SL's homebred who held the bragging rights but there was something in the seasonal return of Ballydoyle's blueblood that suggested it would be a lot closer as they re-engage in the Pouliches. Overwhelming the subsequent 1000 Guineas third Matilda Picotte (Ire) (Sioux Nation) and G3 Cournelsourt S. scorer Zarinsk (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) in Leopardstown's G3 Ballylinch Stud 1000 Guineas Trial S., the descendant of Urban Sea (Miswaki) will be a different proposition for Christopher Head's stable luminary to handle this time.

Looking Out For Lindy

Surrendering her unbeaten record to Blue Rose Cen in the G3 Prix de la Grotte over this course and distance last month, Everest Racing, Ecurie Waldeck and Meridian International's Lindy (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) hails from a family of soft-ground lovers and trainer Christophe Ferland is keen to have another go at the favourite. “Since her debut, Lindy has done nothing but improve,” he said. “She had a good winter and her comeback effort in the Prix de la Grotte was very good. She is very easy to handle and I harbour no worries about her ability to act over course and distance. She is a daughter of Le Havre and so I don't feel that the ground will be a hindrance to her. Depending on how she fares on Sunday, I hope to run her in the Prix de Diane. I have even entered her in the Arc, because I think that in time and given greater maturity that longer trips will be within her compass.”

Can Kelina Rebound?

It seems a long time ago that the Wertheimers' TDN Rising Star Kelina (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was favourite for the Marcel Boussac and although she was last in that contest put up a fine comeback effort behind Quickstep (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the course-and-distance Prix du Louvre conditions race last month. From the family of Dansili's Group 1 winners With You (GB) and We Are (Ire) and Frankel's Call The Wind (GB), the Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained homebred will be staying on when some have cried enough.

Jannah Rose Poised For Saint-Alary Test

Frankel might already have had a big afternoon by the time the G1 St Mark's Basilica Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary comes around, where his unbeaten daughter Jannah Rose (Ire) will be a warm order to build on her quietly-dominant display in the nine-furlong G3 Prix Vanteaux here last month. Al Shira'aa Farms' €650,000 Goffs Orby sensation is developing a formidable reputation which will be put to the test here by some talented fillies including Ballydoyle's Boogie Woogie (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). A daughter of the Irish Oaks heroine Seventh Heaven (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), she came up against the stable's kingpin Savethelastdance (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) at Leopardstown two starts back when the pick of Ryan Moore which gives an indication as to the regard in which she is held. There will be some surprised people if Elusive Princess (Fr) (Martinborough {Jpn}) can't reverse the form of the G3 Prix Cleopatre with Crown Princesse (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), with LNJ Foxwoods purchasing a half-share in the former after her luckless run. Both have been supplemented, but both have to raise their game to reward that decision.

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Stars Align For Tahiyra In Guineas

Saturday's dour weather at Newmarket means that only the tough need apply in Sunday's G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas. A preference for testing ground is a must and so TDN Rising Star Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) seems in pole position given how electric she was on it when dealing with Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. at The Curragh in September. Dermot Weld resisted the temptation to come here with Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) 12 months ago, despite the fact that she could have ended his long drought in the race and his unerring judgment could be rewarded quickly by The Aga Khan's half-sister to Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal). Despite his reservations about whether she is at a peak, it speaks volumes that such a sage is happy to let her run and suggests we are dealing with something as special as she looked when we last witnessed her at The Curragh.

Ready For Remarquee

Newbury's ground for the G3 Fred Darling S. was worse than it is here, so Julian Richmond-Watson's Remarquee (GB) (Kingman {GB}) comes into play particularly as she is bred to stay at least this mile and probably further. From the family of the Oaks heroine Look Here (GB) (Hernando {Fr}) and the G1 Prix Royal Oak winner Scope (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), the homebred has enjoyed the injection of pace that Kingman provides and looks a deadly proposition here. “She didn't really get the run of the race and Rob [Hornby] dropped his stick with half a furlong to run, yet she still won with one ear pricked, having wandered around. She'll have learned a lot,” trainer Ralph Beckett said. “We've been here before, having won a few Fred Darlings, and it can be tough getting a filly back in time for the Guineas but all of the signs are good. She didn't have a hard race and I'm very happy with her.”

Loaded Amo

Amo Racing's season has started with a bang and their G3 Nell Gwyn S. winner Mammas Girl (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) was the main contributor as she dominated the G3 Nell Gwyn S. here last month. Richard Hannon has either been the name next to or been directly involved with the winner of this twice in the last 10 years and racing and operations manager Tom Pennington is hoping it can be three. “She goes there having won twice at the track and some experts have said she is not going to get the trip, but I disagree,” he said. “She's a relaxed and laid-back filly and I really don't see the mile being an issue.”

Second behind her in the Nell Gwyn was the solid Fairy Cross (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), but it has been clear for a while that Charlie Appleby's number one is Dream Of Love (Ire) (Shamardal).

Lively Longshots

Anybody who witnessed the G2 May Hill S. success of Polly Pott (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) at Doncaster in September will remember how effective she is on rain-softened ground and it may be that her subsequent fourth to Commissioning (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the G1 Fillies' Mile here was one run too many. Now with Ben Pauling, she rates as having a genuine squeak along with Jaber Abdullah's Listed Star S. winner Dance In The Grass (GB) (Cracksman {GB}) and Hunscote Stud's Listed Montrose Fillies' S. scorer Caernarfon (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) who will both relish the ground.

Mick Channon made an instant impact in his training career, but missed out on Guineas success a few times so it would be fitting if his son Jack could land one on his first attempt. “She is in great form and trained really well all winter and her work, touch wood, has been perfect,” he said of Caernarfon. “I think we've got her exactly where we want her and it will be down to simply whether she is good enough now. She had a decent amount of experience as a 2-year-old, she won over course and distance last time and she is not a filly who is too hard to get fit.”

Time For Adayar

Following the romp of Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) on Friday, Godolphin's other star Frankel Adayar (Ire) also comes to the Rowley Mile for the rescheduled G3 Gordon Richards S. lost from Sandown last week. The 2021 Derby and King George hero is up against Shadwell's G2 Prix Dollar winner Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) as he would have been last Friday, but also White Birch Farm's unbeaten and unexposed Francesco Clemente (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Charlie Appleby also saddles two in the Listed Pretty Polly S., with William Buick on the impressive Southwell novice scorer Queen Of Fairies (GB) (Cracksman {GB}), and last year's winner of that Oaks trial With The Moonlight (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the G2 Dahlia S. Already successful in the G2 Cape Verdi and G2 Balanchine in 2023, she is back from an encounter with the high-class In Italian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in Keeneland's GI Jenny Wiley S. and has it easier here despite carrying three pounds more than her rivals. She is joined by last year's G1 Falmouth S. heroine Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and fellow Godolphin representative and TDN Rising Star Life In Motion (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), another of Andre Fabre's keenly-aimed arrows at a race he has won twice since 2014 at the track he loves.

“With The Moonlight came back from Keeneland in great order and is a rock-solid filly,” Appleby said. “Nine furlongs is a perfect distance for her and she should be a big player, even with her penalty, providing the ground doesn't get too testing.”

London Calling

With Aidan O'Brien relying solely on Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) in the 1000 Guineas, Wayne Lordan stays at Leopardstown to take the mount on the stable's TDN Rising Star Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G3 Derby Trial S. The full-brother to Capri (Ire) did everything the wrong way round in the G2 Champions Juvenile S. when last seen here in September and looks a stronger candidate than the yard's G3 Prix Noailles fourth Londoner (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}). Both have a high bar to reach to get to the G1 Criterium International winner Proud And Regal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), while the G3 Ballysax S. runner-up Up And Under (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) adds further intrigue in another O'Brien-dominated Classic trial.

“We're not 100% sure what his trip is going to be, whether he will be a 10- or 12-furlong horse or maybe even he drops back to a mile, but it is great to get him started,” Donnacha said of Proud And Regal. “The hope is that he becomes a Derby horse, that's the dream, but I guess we will find out more on Sunday. If he goes and wins well, we will for sure have to have a look at Epsom, but if he didn't we may have to alter our plans.”

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Coroebus Faces Jacques Le Marois Test

While Saratoga continues to thrill across the Atlantic, the long hot summer of 2022 rolls on with Deauville staging its own prolonged festival to draw the elite to Normandy's cradle of racing. The G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois is arguably the jewel of the whole month and has attracted some notable actors on Sunday including Godolphin's exciting Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). At this mile trip, Charlie Appleby has the material this season with the English, French and Irish 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace S. already in safe keeping. Only Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) could deny Moulton Paddocks a clean sweep in the G1 Sussex S., but even then the stable had a solid second with Modern Games (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) acting as a deputy for the missing 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace hero. Appleby is surprisingly bullish ahead of the homebred's hardest task to date. “All of his runs before Royal Ascot were over the straight mile at Newmarket and I think he is more comfortable racing over a straight course, which we get here. We are very confident that he can keep his unbeaten record for the year intact.”

What Next From Inspiral?

After Royal Ascot, most would have pointed to Cheveley Park Stud's G1 Coronation S. heroine Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) as the one to side with in a match with Coroebus who looked fortunate to have come away with the Tuesday feature. While the subsequent shock defeat of the John and Thady Gosden-trained homebred at the hands of Marc Chan and Andrew Rosen's Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in the G1 Falmouth S. at Newmarket July 8 has raised a question mark, the July Course is renowned for favouring front-runners when the ground is riding as fast as it was then and connections are convinced they have her in the right place for her own moment of truth. “I know she had little bit of a blip at Newmarket last time, but you have to excuse her after the long lay-off and sometimes horses can throw a bad one in,” Frankie Dettori said. “When I say bad, she was second, but she didn't run to her full potential.”

No Time To Rest

Honours are even between the Classic generation and the older horses in the last 10 runnings, but few in the latter category could boast the type of record that State Of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) brings to the table. His quartet of top-level wins have all come over further, but the pace that he showed from the front when denying Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}) in the G1 Prince Of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot June 15 will take him a long way reverting to a mile. His toughness is also an essential quality and will be a prerequisite as the 3-year-olds come at him late on here. Joseph O'Brien has been intent on trying him at a mile for some time and feels this is the ideal spot. “He's a horse that's always shown plenty of speed and it will be interesting to see how he can perform at a shorter distance,” he said. “Every day he goes to the track, he turns up and he has no problem leading, like he did last time. I think it's fairly obvious he'll be ridden in an uncomplicated way, whether he's getting a lead or not. It comes either way to him.”

A Nation's Pride With Erevann

With the first two Group 1 contests of the famed August meeting going the way of the British, the odds are cramped that this prestige event will also traverse La Manche as the home nation struggles to gain any respite from the onslaught. Last Tuesday's G1 Prix Rothschild saw Goldistyle (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) grab third, but Sunday's G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest was a stark reminder of where the balance of power rests in Europe with the eighth-placed Accakaba (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) faring best of the domestic runners. It is incredible to think that the whole of France's training ranks can muster just two representatives in one of their feature events on Sunday, with both hailing from the Jean-Claude Rouget stable. Nevertheless, one is The Aga Khan's unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Erevann (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), a son of Ervedya (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) who stated his case when taking Chantilly's G3 Prix Paul de Moussac June 19. He has to find improvement from that effort, but with his pedigree it is entirely possible.

A Continuing Romance?

Charlie Appleby will be hoping that he can pull off a notable double on Sunday, with Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) taking on the German runners in Hoppegarten's G1 Westminster 132nd Grosser Preis von Berlin. A typical Godolphin raider in this country, the June 25 Listed Fred Archer S. and July 29 G3 Glorious S. winner is unbeaten on turf and all-weather and his trainer said, “We felt this was a nice opportunity to test the waters at this level and we are confident that he won't disgrace himself.” Stall Nizza's May 29 G2 Grosser Preis der Badischen Wirtschaft winner Alter Adler (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) may offer the sternest threat among the older horses, while the pick of the 3-year-olds look to be Darius Racing's May 22 G2 Derby Italiano hero Ardakan (GB) (Reliable Man {GB}) and Anna Schleusner-Fruhriep's Nastaria (GB) (Outstrip {GB}), who is out just a week after her impressive success in Dresden's Listed Sommerpreis over 9 1/2 furlongs.

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Maurice de Gheest Headlines on Sunday

Deauville hosts its second Group 1 contest of the August festival on Sunday, with the 6 1/2-furlong ARC Prix Maurice de Gheest representing a niche for the staying sprinters of which Godolphin's Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is prominent. Coming of age this term with success in Royal Ascot's G1 Platinum Jubilee S. June 18, he beat everything that re-opposed from that contest again in Newmarket's G1 July Cup July 9 only to find Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) too strong. Some of them are here too, but this is a new challenge with several new rivals entering the mix in a race in which he was only eighth on contrasting testing ground 12 months ago. Charlie Appleby is happy that the surface will be different this time. “We know that conditions in France are there to suit–he loves quick ground and has run well over seven furlongs in the past. Based on his form this year, he looks the one to beat,” he said.

How Far Can Harry Go?

If there is one with the capability of reaching these heights in one swoop it is Clive Cox Racing's Harry Three (GB) (Adaay {Ire}), who looked every bit in the mold of some of his trainer's better sprinters when taking the Listed Prix Kistena over six furlongs here July 10. That was a step up from his win in a competitive York handicap June 11 and there is no telling where his limit lies. “He's progressing quickly, but this is a huge step up,” Cox said. “He's full of confidence and he's shown solid form on the track. He's travelled and arrived early and the journey went well which I'm pleased about, given the complications that can arise with that at the moment. He's growing up all the time and becoming more experienced and I think he deserves this step up.” Last year's G2 Prix du Calvados winner Accakaba (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) is another intriguing prospect among the 3-year-olds, with her strong closing effort when fourth in this venue's seven-furlong G1 Prix Jean Prat marking her as a talented performer July 10.

Minzaal's Time?

Shadwell's history with top sprinters is a rich one and the latest big gun among them could be the Owen Burrows-trained Minzaal (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), who has taken a while to deliver on the deep promise of his 2-year-old campaign but who seemed to come of age last time when beating Go Bears Go (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) in the G3 Hackwood S. at Newbury July 16. “He's come out of Newbury great–there is another month until the Haydock Sprint Cup, so this fits in nicely,” his trainer said. “He was very strong at the end at Newbury, so I don't feel the extra half-furlong will hinder him at all. He's been Group 1-placed at two and Group 1-placed at three, so it would be lovely if he can get his head in front for one.”

Toy Takes Aim At Dusseldorf Classic

Narrowly denied in the Irish Oaks, Ballydoyle's Toy (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) takes to Dusseldorf to gain compensation in the G1 Henkel Preis der Diana and augment the remarkable record of top-level winners out of her dam You'resothrilling (Storm Cat). Heading the home defence is Stall Nizza's June 19 G2 Oaks d'Italia winner Nachtrose (Ire) (Australia {GB}), whose half-sister Nightflower (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) was second in this in 2015, and Gestut Rottgen's July 3 G3 Mehl Mulhens-Trophy scorer Well Disposed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a half-sister to the G1 Deutsches Derby hero Windstoss (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}).

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