Strong Godolphin bid for G1 success at Chantilly

Godolphin is represented in all five supporting G1 races on Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe day, with Profitable, Wuheida and Masar featuring among a potent group of runners at Chantilly, France, on Sunday, October 1.

 

Profitable (Clive Cox/James Doyle), successful in last year’s G1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, goes after a second G1 win over five furlongs in the Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp – a race in which he finished a close seventh 12 months ago.

 

The five-year-old Invincible Spirit horse has come second on three of his four starts in 2017, all over five furlongs, including when chasing home Lady Aurelia in the King’s Stand Stakes, and returns to Chantilly on the back of finishing sixth in the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York on August 25.

 

He is drawn 12 of the 13 runners.

 

Clive Cox reported: “Profitable is very well indeed and has no concerns of racing on easier ground.

 

“He is a proven G1 horse and I am looking forward to it. We have had a good time between his races this year and he travels over to France in excellent form.”

 

Wuheida (Charlie Appleby/James Doyle) attempts to follow up her victory in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac at this meeting last year with success in the 10-furlong G1 Prix de l’Opera.

 

The three-year-old daughter of Dubawi has run well in three appearances, all at G1 level, in 2017, most recently when finishing a close fourth over a mile in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown, Ireland, on September 9.

 

Charlie Appleby commented: “Wuheida put up a good performance in the Matron Stakes, when she was beaten less than two lengths, and I think that the step back up in distance is going to suit her.

 

“I felt that she didn’t quite get a mile and three furlongs on testing ground in the German Oaks, but 10 furlongs could be her ideal trip. She won at this meeting last year and returns in good shape.”

 

Five-year-old Toscanini (Richard Fahey/James Doyle), who has raced with stable companion and top miler Ribchester for the majority of this season, lines up in the Prix Foret, Europe’s only all-aged G1 race over seven furlongs.

 

The son of Shamardal ran an excellent race over the same distance in the G3 City Of York Stakes at York on August 25, when he went down by a neck to Talaayeb. He will exit from stall nine among the 10 runners.

 

Richard Fahey said: “Toscanini ran a cracking race over this distance at York last time out. It will be nice to give him his own day in the sun and he goes to Chantilly with a small chance.”

 

Charlie Appleby sends out a pair of highly promising two-year-old colts in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, including Masar (James Doyle), a son of New Approach who gained an impressive win in the G3 Solario Stakes over seven furlongs at Sandown Park on September 2.

 

He is joined in the six-runner mile contest by Iffraaj colt Mythical Magic (Jamie Spencer), a Listed winner at Deauville in August who was beaten half a length when finishing third on his latest outing in the seven-furlong G2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on September 16.

 

Charlie Appleby remarked: “Masar has done well since winning the Solario Stakes and I think the step up to a mile is going to suit.

 

“It will be the first time that he has raced on ground with ease in the description but we are hopeful that it won’t be a problem.

 

“Mythical Magic has come out of the Champagne Stakes well and will love the ground. He goes into the race in good order.”

 

Yarmouth maiden winner Wild Illusion (Charlie Appleby/James Doyle) bids to emulate Wuheida by taking the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac, which has attracted seven runners over a mile, with the two-year-old Dubawi filly having come home third over the same course and distance in the G3 Prix d'Aumale on September 3.

 

Charlie Appleby added: “Wild Illusion was impressive on her first start at Yarmouth and I felt that she learned an awful lot last time out.

 

“She has subsequently improved again and we felt that she deserved to take her chance in Sunday’s race.”