Chantilly G2 contenders led by Avilius

Avilius, Kitesurf and Soleil Marin bid for G2 honours on day one of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend at Chantilly, France, on Saturday, September 30. 

All three horses are trained by Andre Fabre and ridden by Mickael Barzalona, with Avilius dropping back down to 10 furlongs for the G2 Prix Dollar after finishing a clear second over a mile and a half in the G2 Prix Niel at Chantilly on September 10.

The three-year-old Pivotal colt was third over a mile and quarter in both the G2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano at Deauville in August and the G2 Prix Eugene Adam at Maisons-Laffitte in July. Avilius takes on seven rivals.

Kitesurf goes for a second Group success over a mile and a half at Chantilly in the G2 Prix de Royallieu after staying on well to take the G3 Prix de Royaumont in June.

The three-year-old daughter of Dubawi returned to Chantilly later the same month to finish 10th in the French Classic, the extended 10-furlong G1 Prix de Diane, and makes her first appearance since fading to fifth in the G2 Prix de Pomone over 12 and a half furlongs at Deauville on August 5. Kitesurf has seven opponents.

Soleil Marin steps up to 15 furlongs for the nine-runner G2 Prix Chaudenay, with the three-year-old colt having disappointed over shorter trips in the G2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano and the G1 Prix du Jockey Club over an extended 10 furlongs at Chantilly in June. 

He started his 2017 campaign with two victories over 10 and a half furlongs, including when running on strongly to capture the G3 Prix Noailles at Chantilly in April. 

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “Avilius never runs a bad race and the drop back to 10 furlongs, together with cut in the ground, will suit. 

“We are hopeful that he can run another good race.

“Kitesurf returns to the same course and distance as her victory in the Prix de Royaumont earlier in the year. 

“She is taking on older fillies again, which she did in the Prix de Pomone, but has every chance of making the frame. 

“Andre Fabre is happy with Soleil Marin, although there are a few questions marks going into this race, including the new trip. 

“He has produced a couple of disappointing performances and we feel that he prefers cut in the ground, so he should get his conditions on Saturday.”