Prix du Pin challenge for Inns Of Court and Rosa Imperial

Inns Of Court and Rosa Imperial, who have both been placed at G1 level, drop down to the G3 Prix du Pin over seven furlongs at Longchamp, France, on Sunday, 16 September. 

The Andre Fabre-trained duo enjoyed contrasting fortunes on their latest appearances in two of Deauville’s premier G1 races, with Inns Of Court (Mickael Barzalona, drawn 10) fading to finish down the field in the Prix Maurice de Gheest over six and a half furlongs on 5 August. 

The four-year-old colt was beaten a short-head in the 2017 G1 Prix Jacques le Marois over a mile and started this season with three good efforts, headed by a facile win in the six-furlong G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis at Maisons-Laffitte in July. 

Five-year-old Pivotal mare Rosa Imperial (Vincent Cheminaud, drawn 11) kept on to take a fine third in the mile G1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville on 29 July, having gained a cosy success over the same course and distance in a Listed race earlier the same month.

She also captured the G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis at Maisons-Laffitte last year and finished fifth on dirt in the G2 Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup Night at Meydan, UAE, in March. 

The field of 11 for the Prix du Pin includes Japanese challenger Geniale, winner of the G3 Prix Messidor at Maisons-Laffitte in July, and G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulcihes runner-up Coeur De Beaute. 

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “Nothing really came to light after Inns Of Court’s disappointing run in the Prix Maurice de Gheest. 

“He was a bit flat afterwards and has been given time to come to hand, but he seems full of energy now. We hope that he can return to his best form because he is a very smart horse on his day. 

“Rosa Imperial skipped the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp to go for this race instead. She ran very well in the Prix Rothschild and would appear to have a good chance of making the frame.”