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Prix Djebel challenge for Munitions

Racenews

Course and distance scorer Munitions steps up to G3 level for his three-year-old return in the Prix Djebel over seven furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte, France, on Wednesday, 10 April.

The Andre Fabre-trained colt was twice successful at the Paris course last year. He followed up his debut victory over six furlongs in September with a game short-head win in a seven-furlong conditions race at the start of October. He subsequently made two appearances in Listed company and went down by a nose in the six-furlong Prix Zeddaan at Deauville in October before coming home fourth over half a furlong shorter in the Prix Yacowlef at Chantilly in November.

Munitions, with Mickael Barzalona in the saddle, lines up in stall four against six other three-year-old colts including Graignes, who was third to Godolphin’s Royal Meeting in the G1 Criterium International, and G1 Middle Park Stakes fourth Marie’s Diamond, plus Listed winners Amilcar and Harmless.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “Munitions has done well over the winter.

“He is a big, strong horse and we hope to see a little more on the course compared to his two-year-old season. Hopefully, he can run a nice race.”

The nine-furlong Listed Prix Jacques Laffitte on the same card has a trio of Godolphin four-year-olds including Medaglia d’Oro colt Mind Mapping (Andre Fabre/Mickael Barzalona), who was second to another Godolphin runner Loxley in the Listed Prix Nureyev over a mile and a quarter at Deauville in August and followed up with two victories and a Listed third.

Mer Et Nuages (Andre Fabre/Pierre-Charles Boudot) was unbeaten in three 2018 starts, culminating with a facile win in the Listed Prix de Pontarme over a mile at Longchamp in May.

Broderie (Vincent Cheminaud) transferred to Henri-Alex Pantall in October and the Pivotal filly enjoyed an impressive start for her new trainer when making all to take a nine-furlong Polytrack conditions race at Chantilly on Tuesday, 12 March.

Lisa-Jane Graffard added: “Mind Mapping is in super form and has been going well at home. We are expecting him to give a good account of himself on his seasonal return.

“Mer Et Nuages had a long absence due to illness last summer, which interrupted his campaign. He looked like a top-class performer in the making until that point and we are hoping for a nice reintroduction, although it looks a competitive race.

“Broderie won her race at Chantilly in taking style. She has a bit to find on the ratings but she looks to have improved this year and heads into this contest in great order.”