Three Godolphin runners at Deauville led by Frontiersman

Frontiersman (Charlie Appleby/James Doyle) headlines three Godolphin runners at Deauville, France, on Sunday, August 27. 

 

The four-year-old colt contests the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville over an extended mile and a half. 

 

Frontiersman makes a quick return to action after coming home third in the G3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes over an extended mile and five furlongs on soft going at Newbury on August 19. 

 

He finished second twice over a mile and a half, beaten three-quarters of a length by stable companion Hawkbill in the G2 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes at Newmarket on July 13 and a length and three quarters by Highland Reel in the G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom Downs on June 2.  

 

The son of Dubawi also captured a 12-furlong handicap in good style at Newmarket on May 7.

 

Charlie Appleby remarked: “Frontiersman has come out of the race at Newbury well.

 

“Hopefully, going back on a sound surface and back to around a mile and a half will suit him. 

 

“It was a slow ground at Newbury and I think he might not have seen the trip out that day.”

 

A field of seven is set to go to post in the Grand Prix de Deauville, with Frontiersman’s rivals including G2 scorers Doha Dream and Garlingari plus Savoir Vivre, winner of this race in 2016.

 

Aiming For Rio (Andre Fabre/Mickael Barzalona) drops down slightly in distance for the six-furlong G3 Prix de Meautry as she attempts a four-timer.

 

The three-year-old daughter of Rio De La Plata has won her last three races, with the latest victories coming in Listed contests at Maisons-Laffitte, over seven furlongs on July 3 ad half a furlong half a furlong shorter on June 10. 

 

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin commented: “Aiming For Rio has shown herself to be very tough and consistent this year. 

 

“She has stepped up on each of her performances and we have been looking for the right race to step her up again. 

 

“She is a very honest filly who always tries her best so hopefully she can run a good race.”

 

Aiming For Rio is drawn three in the field of seven for the Prix de Meautry, which also includes G1 winner Signs Of Blessing and G3 victor Fas.

 

Graphite (Andre Fabre/ Mickael Barzalona) has his fourth outing in the G3 Prix Quincey over a mile. The three-year-old Shamardal colt won on his seasonal debut, taking the nine-furlong G3 Prix La Force at Chantilly on April 9, and was also successful over the same distance in a Maisons-Laffitte maiden, having finished fourth on debut in a mile maiden in September.

 

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “Graphite is a making a mini comeback, having not run since April.

 

“This race will be a case of watching to see how he gets on. Hopefully, Sunday’s race will set him up for a nice autumn campaign, but we would just like to see him run a good race on his comeback.”

 

The line-up of five runners in the Prix Quincy also includes G3 scorers Dicton and Attendu.