Godolphin's Jacques Le Marois Challenge

Time/Date - 16.10hrs local time/Sunday, August 16, 2015 Racecourse/Country - Deauville/France
Surface/Distance - Turf/1m

Territories, Toormore and Belardo could launch a three-strong Godolphin assault on the mile Group One Prix du Haras Fresney-le-Buffard - Jacques le Marois at Deauville, France, on Sunday, August 16.

All three colts have won at Group One level already. Territories (Andre Fabre/Mickael Barzalona) quickened brilliantly from the rear for a cosy success on his latest start in the Prix Jean Prat over a mile at Chantilly on July 12. The three-year-old son of Invincible Spirit was runner-up to Gleneagles over the same distance in the British Classic, the Group One QIPCO 2000 Guineas, at Newmarket on May 2, and readily won the Group Three Prix De Fontainebleau, again over a mile, on his seasonal return at Longchamp on April 12.

Four-year-old Toormore (Richard Hannon/James Doyle) was European champion two-year-old in 2013 after winning the Group One Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh, Ireland.

The Arakan colt steps back up in trip after making all to take the Group Two Qatar Lennox Stakes over seven furlongs at Goodwood, UK, on July 28. He started his season with two Group One appearances over a mile in the UK, coming home fourth in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 16 and going down by a neck to Night Of Thunder in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 16.

Belardo (Roger Varian/William Buick) was also crowned Europe's two-year-old in 2014 following a progressive campaign that culminated with a two-length success on soft ground in the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket in October.

The son of Lope De Vega stayed on when fourth in the Group One Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas over a mile at the Curragh, Ireland, on May 23 and came home seventh on his latest start in the Group One Qatar Sussex Stakes, also over mile, at Goodwood on July 29.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin commented: "Territories is doing really well and this was always the target following his victory in the Prix Jean Prat.

"There has been a lot of rain at Deauville this week, which has posed a problem and places a big question mark over his participation.

"Andre Fabre is concerned about the going and will leave a decision until as late as possible."

Richard Hannon said: "It made sense to go back to Group One company with Toormore.

"He could have gone for the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury, but he won his Group Two last month in the Lennox Stakes and we also think the mile will suit him better than seven furlongs. Easy ground is also a plus for him."

Roger Varian commented: "Belardo has come out of Goodwood in good form. It will be the first time this season that he has encountered soft ground and we hope that this helps him show on the racetrack what he shows us at home.

"We have not lost faith in him and are expecting him to run very well."

The Godolphin contenders face seven rivals including course and distance Group One winner Esoterique and Karakontie, who has triumphed in three Group One races including the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and the Breeders' Cup Mile.

Godolphin has won the Prix Jacques le Marois with Dubai Millennium (1999), Muhtathir (2000), Dubawi (2005) and Librettist (2006).