Joe McConnell
All eyes will be on Deauville on Sunday afternoon, where the Prix Jacques le Marois takes centre stage, live on Vscek Racing.
3.04 Deauville – Charyn and Inspiral clash in the first-class Marois
A highly respected field of athletes has gathered for the highlight of the French summer: the Group One Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois, led by double winner Inspirational.
The star of the John and Thady Gosden stable is a six-time Group One winner, including claiming the last two renewals of this race, but arrives with a point to prove. After lacklustre defeats in the Lockinge and Prince Of Wales’s Stakes this season, she will be hoping to bounce back with a return to the mile as a major advantage.
Roger Varian saddles Queen Anne Stakes winner Nice who achieved a deserved success at the top level at the Royal meeting and could prove difficult to beat if he gets back in the same mood.
Of the others, the undefeated Quddwa is an intriguing contender as he steps up the ranks for Simon and Ed Crisford’s team, while Richard Hannon’s Jersey Stakes winner Hatred He looks the best among the three year olds.
3.10 Ripon – Lesley’s Boy and Easy Peeler are the most popular nursery titles
Easy Potato Peeler He used his second place on debut over this course and over six furlongs to score by a small margin at Catterick last month and can be expected to make a bold bid on his handicap debut under Jason Hart in the Paula Budge Surprise Birthday Nursery.
Lesley’s Boyfriend will top the weight chart for the Richard Fahey yard and is another who stepped up on his first start when landing a Wetherby maiden in June and must be feared from a starting score of 77.
Artistic design deserves a mention after his solid third place in a hot race at Newmarket last weekend.
1.33 Deauville – Feed The Flame and Al Hakeem protagonists
Al-Hakeem He returned after more than a year’s break to finish an encouraging second to Calif at ParisLongchamp in June and, if he has made a step forward since then, should be in contention again for the Group Three Prix Gontaut-Biron Hong Kong Jockey Club.
by Pascal Bary Feed the flame He is a mainstay of the top mile and a half races in France and his trainer is dropping him down a class as he aims for a first success of the season after an excellent second place in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
Elusive Princess This is her second start since returning to the tutelage of Jean-Pierre Dubois, having moved to the United States following her three-year campaign.
The best of the rest
Little man puts his 100 percent record in Group Three on the line François Boutin Award at 12.58, joining the winners of the debut Scandal AND Hot money at the stake for what looks like a very tasty contest. Deauville is also the venue for an attractive Listed contest with representatives from the Gosden and Godolphin yards. At 4.14am Carlo Ancelotti’s property Royal Gala makes his reappearance, against Hollie Doyle and Comic book.
The United States takes center stage in the evening, with Ancient Rome AND Pride of Nations headline the Grade One Arlington Million at Colonial Downs. Rearranged from last Saturday, the Saratoga Derby will be held at 11:49 a.m. with Legend of Time for Charlie Appleby.
Sunday’s Races | Latest Sky Bet Odds
Watch all the Ripon and Deauville races live on Vscek Racing.
