Back to Paris for Ghaiyyath

[Wandering Eyes]

Europe’s first Group 1 race of the season takes place at ParisLongchamp on Sunday and the responsibility falls on Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) to get a rampant Godolphin operation off the mark in that sphere in the Prix Ganay. Utterly dominant with shades of Dubai Millennium (GB) in the 10-furlong G2 Prix d’Harcourt here last time Apr. 7, his 1 1/2-length advantage over the re-opposing Soleil Marin (Ire) (Kendargent {Fr}) was no measurement of his superiority after he was heavily eased close home. Charlie Appleby picked out the 4-year-old as his one to follow from his stable recently and anything other than a win will be a disappointment.

“It was there for everyone to see how impressive he was on his first start as a 4-year-old in the Prix d’Harcourt,” he said. “His last two runs have been at Longchamp, so he ticks that particular box in terms of handling the track. He’s going another half-furlong on Sunday, but we don’t think that will be a problem. If he brings his A-game I think he’s the one to beat, but at the same time we are stepping up. If we were lucky enough to win we could look at races like the Prince of Wales’s S., but let’s get over this hurdle and go from there.”

   Soleil Marin’s trainer Andre Fabre has a better claim at toppling Ghaiyyath with Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) who is back in action for Gestut Ammerland and Newsells Park Stud following a successful 2018 campaign. Last year’s G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud is running over a trip shy of his ideal and is having his first start after a fifth placing in Sha Tin’s G1 Hong Kong Vase, so should strip fitter afterwards while the Niarchos Family’s G1 Prix du Jockey-Club hero Study of Man (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) has to get back on track after a tepid end to his Classic season. Only ninth in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe over 12 furlongs here when last seen in October, he has ideal conditions to offer connections some hope for the year ahead.

Godolphin’s influence is felt elsewhere on the card with ‘TDN Rising Star’ and G3 Prix de Fontainebleau runner-up Epic Hero (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) tackling the seven-furlong Listed Prix du Pont Neuf and Morgan Le Faye (GB) (Shamardal) pointed at the G3 Prix Allez France Longines. The latter was third in the G1 Prix Royal-Oak and G1 Prix du Cadran over extreme trips last term, but showed ample speed for the 10 1/2-furlong Listed Prix Zarkava here last time Apr. 7 and is unexposed in this sphere.

“We are hoping that Morgan Le Faye can confirm her ability over this distance in a group race, as it would open up a lot of options for her this season,” Godolphin’s Lisa-Jane Graffard commented. “She is in very good form at home and we are very hopeful that she can run another good race. Epic Hero is making a quick reappearance, but Andre Fabre is very happy with the horse and feels that this is a good opportunity over seven furlongs. The feeling was that he didn’t get the mile in the Prix de Fontainebleau, when he was beaten by a very good horse in Persian King.”

Over at Krefeld, the G3 Dr Busch-Memorial sees the exciting Noble Moon (Ger) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) reappear with the weight of the country’s expectations on his shoulders. The race is on to see who can provide the sire with a first Classic triumph and Eckhard Sauren’s homebred looked tailor-made when beating Django Freeman (Ger) (Campanologist) and the re-opposing Man On the Moon (Ger) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) in the G3 Preis des Winterfavoriten over a mile at Cologne in October. Lit Lung Lee’s Hot Team (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) could be the spanner in the works, given that he slammed the useful Got Wind (GB) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) over a mile on testing ground in the Listed Grand Criterium de Bordeaux in October.

Navan’s card sees the filly Tango (Ire) (No Nay Never) bid to uphold Ballydoyle’s 100% record with its juveniles in 2019 in the opener before stablemate and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Chablis (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) steps into the Oaks reckoning in the Listed Salsabil S. The 1,550,000gns Tattesalls October Book 1 graduate and full-sister to The Pentagon (Ire) among others oozed class on her winning debut at Gowran Park in October, but she is passed over by Ryan Moore in favour of Pink Dogwood (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). Only fifth in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac at ParisLongchamp in October, she was only beaten over a length on that occasion and appears to be a strong homeworker as the vibes have been strong for her recently. His Highness The Aga Khan’s Leopardstown maiden winner Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal) warrants respect from the Dermot Weld stable.

In the G3 Sequence Events Vintage Crop S., the 2017 G1 St Leger hero Capri (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) returns as he builds towards an intended tilt at the G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on June 20 and he is joined by stablemate and 2018 Leger third Southern France (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Success for either would see Aidan O’Brien extend his already remarkable record in this race to nine wins in 14 runnings, with the former staying giants Yeats (Ire), Fame and Glory (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) and Order Of St George (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) on the honour roll.

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