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Preview: Sunday at Deauville.
Deauville hosts the feature Group One sprint of the Normandy Summer festival on Sunday with the running of the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest (1300m) alongside a quality programme including the feature handicap of the French season, The Grand Handicap de Deauville (1600m).
At Deauville on Sunday, the feature Group One Sprint of the Summer meeting – the Prix Maurice de Gheest – will take place over 1300m. It is a unique contest as there are no other races run over this journey at the top level in Europe. The race normally attracts proven sprinters and those horses seeking to potentially stretch out further to both 1400m and 1600m.
The line-up for this years' race is outstanding with multiple countries represented including horses from as far away as Australia and Japan. The British contingent will have a strong hand whilst the home team will be represented with just three runners, and on current form all will face a big task stepping up to a Group One race in Open company.
On past form line performances there are two races that may hold the key to finding the winner – the Platinum Jubilee (1200m) from Royal Ascot (18 June) and the July Cup (1200m) at Newmarket July Course (9 July). Both tracks have similarities with a stiff finish although Newmarket is by far the more undulating of the pair. Deauville is a flat straight course and after the ongoing warm weather and natural moisture within the track, the going should be perfect for the big race on Sunday. Horses that can run a strong 1200m at the two British form-line courses should have little difficulty facing the 1300m of Deauville.
Top chance in the Prix Maurice-de-Gheest looks to be the Charlie Appleby-trained Naval Crown and there is a lot to like about him. Winner of the Platinum Jubilee, he was then beaten one-and-a-half lengths when runner-up in the July Cup. He is also a past victor over 1400m and this race will suit. Versatile in racing style – he can settle on or off the speed – Naval Crown holds a strong record on straight courses. The stable is currently sitting on a whopping 34% winning strike-rate from their past 50 runners.
Australia is famed for its ability to produce sprinters that can consistently compete on the world stage. The nation has already had international Group One sprint success this European season when Nature Strip won the Kings Stand Stakes (1000m) at Royal Ascot. Another 'Aussie' – Artorius – has already had two Group One races this summer in England, attempting both form contests brought to this race. On those two occasions Naval Crown has beaten him, however Artorius may gain revenge as the 1300m flat straight track should suit his racing style. A horse with a tendency to be outpaced before hitting the line strongly, he brings plenty of talent though is equally frustrating having only won two races, both as a two-year-old. After his two races in England, he has shown ability to compete against the best in the world.
Perfect Power won the feature Group One two-year-old race at Deauville last year – the Prix Morny – over 1200m on the straight course. He has since proven himself as a high-class sprinter having won two further Group One races, also both over 1200m – the Middle Park Stakes last September at Newmarket (Rowley Mile course) and the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June before finishing seventh in the July Cup in his only race against open company. Winner up to 1400m (straight-course at Newbury) and now returning to Deauville back over this trip, it would be no surprise to see him back in the winners' circle. His rider – Christophe Soumillon – has always been full of praise for this high-quality three-year-old.
Garrus is unbeaten in two starts on the Deauville straight course though is facing a big rise in grade from a last start Group Three win whilst Highfield Princess is a winner at Group Two level and was only beaten one-and-a-half lengths into sixth behind Naval Crown and Artorius in the Platinum Jubilee. That said, she is proven over further having won and run placings in feature and Group races over 1400m in the past.
Alongside the Group One sprint is the feature Handicap of the French season - The Grand Handicap de Deauville (1600m) for three-year-olds and upwards on the straight course.
Charlesquint will have a high handicap mark to overcome but arrives in strong form having made the top-three on his last four outings including the Listed 100 Eme Grand Prix de Bordeaux (1900m) last time. National Service looks an interesting runner dropping back to handicap racing after a good third at Chantilly in a Class One Conditions contest.
Hooking won a fourteen runner Chantilly 2100m Class Two handicap last month and could go close if able to repeat that performance again. Tornadic bids for a four-timer after excellent handicap form recently and holds a great record over this trip with four wins and one placing from seven attempts.
Dar Toungi is highly consistent in conditions events alongside Rock Joyeux. Harper is not dismissed after a good second in a Longchamp 1600m Class Two handicap. A race that is one of the most competitive on the French calendar!
