British duo bid to end Robert Papin drought

Preview: France, Sunday (1.30pm GMT)

Maisons-Laffitte: Prix Robert Papin (Group 2) 5½f, 2yo

THERE has not been a British-trained winner of this race since Barry Hills sent Never A Doubt to score in 2002 but there is a strong chance that this ten-year famine could end on Sunday.

Clive Cox saddles the unbeaten Reckless Abandon with the experienced Gerald Mosse in the saddle while Ryan Moore will partner Sir Prancealot for Richard Hannon.

Reckless Abandon beat 17 others when making a winning debut in a minor race at Doncaster when he drifted left in the final stages and did the same thing when taking the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Sir Prancealot won over 5½f first time so he should have adequate stamina.

He went on to thrash his rivals in the National Stakes before taking fourth place behind Dawn Approach in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot when he did not have the best of runs.

Penny's Picnic looks the best of the home team but Snowday (Olivier Peslier) also has a chance which must be respected.

What they say

Clive Cox, trainer of Reckless Abandon

"He's obviously a very exciting individual and this looks the next logical step for him. I've been very pleased with him since Royal Ascot, and he travelled over well on Friday. Apparently it's walking really nice ground over there and he's eaten up, so I'm really excited about running him."

Didier Guillemin, trainer of Penny's Picnic

"Penny's Picnic is in great shape and working really well at home. I by passed the Prix du Bois on purpose and I wanted to keep him fresh and it's a long way up to Paris from my stable. He goes on all grounds and the extra 100 metres will be no problem. He won his last race easily and without a touch of the whip."

Richard Hannon, trainer of Sir Prancealot

"He gets six furlongs, but they just stretched him in the Coventry at Royal Ascot, and dropping back in trip here will suit him. He has bags of speed."

Francis Graffard, trainer of To My Valentine

"She is a very consistent filly and in great form. This is a tough race and we are hopeful for a place. If she obtains one, we will consider she has run well."

Also on Sunday

Maisons-Laffitte: Prix Eugene Adam (Group 2) 1m2f, 3yo, 2.40pm BST

ONE-TIME Classic hope Loi has not lived up to expectations but trainer Jean-Marie Beguigne is hopeful the Lawman colt is back to his best form.

He is the only Group race winner in the field, having won the Prix de Conde but was disappointing in both the Prix Noailles and Prix Hocquart.

However, since then, a health problem has been solved and corrected. As a confidence booster, Beguigne sent him to Compiegne where he beat three others over 1m1f.

Foreign raiders are on a roll and have been successful on four occasions in the last five years.

John Gosden, who is set to run Elusive Kate in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville next Sunday or the Prix Maurice de Gheest, runs Khalid Abdullah's Starboard with Ryan Moore in the saddle while Kieren Fallon is aboard Cogito.

Bayrir and Fractional can both be considered dark horses with potential.

What they say

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to Khalid Abdullah, owner of Starboard

"He won a hot conditions race at Doncaster and we were going to take him to Royal Ascot. He was found slightly lame. It had cleared up the next day just before the race but didn't run in the Tercentenary. He's been fine since and has worked nicely. We are hoping for a decent performance."

Alain de Royer-Dupre, trainer of Bayrir

"This is a very serious colt and his last performance was excellent and spectacular. He is a very handy sort and should adapt well to this race over the straight course."

Jean-Marie Beguigne, trainer of Loi

"He is now very well. Earlier in the season he suffered from ulcers in his digestive system and these have now been cleared up. He appears to be back to his best and I am expecting him to go close and he can make all the running if necessary."

Brian Meehan, trainer of Cogito

"A strong finish characterised both his Newmarket debut and Sandown Listed race win. Cogito went into the St James's Palace Stakes defending an unbeaten record but after some bad interference at the start was allowed to coast home eighth of 15. He deserves this shot both at Group 2 level and an extra two furlongs, which he promises to stay. He has a great chance."