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Ghaiyyath and Stage Magic head Longchamp quartet

Racenews

G3 winners Ghaiyyath and Stage Magic feature among four Charlie Appleby-trained three-year-olds going for Pattern success at Longchamp, France, on Saturday, 22 September.

Dubawi colt Ghaiyyath (William Buick) makes a belated seasonal return in the 10-furlong G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange. He stayed on strongly for an impressive victory on his most recent appearance in the mile G3 Masar Godolphin Autumn Stakes at Newmarket in October, one of three outings as a two-year-old.

He is joined in the Prix du Prince d’Orange by Stage Magic (Mickael Barzalona), who also returns from a break. Stage Magic finished sixth on his only start so far this season in the nine-furlong Listed Feilden Stakes at Newmarket in April.

The son of Dark Angel was a game winner of the G3 Prix des Chenes over a mile at Chantilly in September, 2017.

The field of seven for the Prix du Prince d’Orange also includes G3 victor Sacred Life plus Willie John, who is unbeaten in two starts.

Charlie Appleby reported: “Ghaiyyath met with a setback in the spring but his preparation going into this race has gone well.

“We are looking forward to getting him back on track, although he will come forward for whatever he does this weekend.

“Stage Magic has been off since the spring and has been gelded, which has definitely helped with his focus.

“He also showed a high level of form as a two-year-old, winning a G3 race, and this will be a stepping stone towards hopefully taking him out to Dubai for the winter.”

Two Godolphin fillies go for the nine-furlong G3 Prix Bertrand de Tarragon including Expressiy (William Buick), runner-up on dirt in the G3 UAE Oaks at Meydan, UAE, in March, who returns to France after rallying well to take an extended nine-furlong Listed race at La Teste de Buche on 8 September.

Hadith (Mickael Barzalona) made all for a decisive victory in a mile Listed race at Newmarket in October, but the daughter of New Approach disappointed on her only outing of 2018 to date when trailing home last in the G2 Prix de la Nonette over 10 furlongs at Deauville on 18 August.

The duo face six rivals headed by Awesometank and My Sister Nat, who have both placed at G3 level, plus G1 Prix de Diane seventh Shahnaza.

Charlie Appleby added: “Expressiy has been a very consistent filly and fully deserved to win a Listed race on her latest start.

“This is a step up again, but you cannot fault what she has brought to the table this season.

“Hadith has come forward since her seasonal return at Deauville, when she travelled for a long way before blowing up.

“The drop back a furlong is not a concern and hopefully she can improve on that effort.”