Prix Daphnis for Glorious Journey & First Contact

Three-year-olds Glorious Journey and First Contact go to post in the G3 Prix Daphnis over a mile at Deauville, France, on Tuesday, 21 August. 

They are both trained by Charlie Appleby. Dubawi colt Glorious Journey, who races in the colours of HH Sheikha Al Jalila Racing, was last seen when staying on well to take fourth in the mile G3 Thoroughbred Stakes at Goodwood on Saturday, 4 August. 

He finished a close third in the nine-furlong G3 Prix de Guiche at Chantilly on 7 May and began 2018 by taking fourth behind his stablemate and subsequent G1 Derby victor Masar in the G3 Craven Stakes over a mile at Newmarket on 19 April. 

Glorious Journey was successful at G3 level last year, winning the Prix La Rochette over seven furlongs at Saint-Cloud in September.

First Contact was last seen when the short-neck runner-up in the Listed Prix de Tourgeville over a mile at Deauville on 31 July. 

He was the impressive winner of a mile handicap at Newmarket on 14 July and captured a seven-furlong novice contest when making his seasonal reappearance at Doncaster on 25 March.

William Buick takes the ride on Glorious Journey, with James Doyle aboard First Contact. The three other runners in the Prix Daphnis include G3 winner Sacred Life.

Charlie Appleby said: “It will be tight between Glorious Journey and First Contact.

“First Contact was just touched off in a Listed race at Deauville last time and so has some course experience. 

“It was a good performance from Glorious Journey at Goodwood last time out when he saw out the race well.

“As I say, I don’t think there is much between the pair of them and this race should provide a good opportunity for one of them to gain a G3 victory.”