Angel Bleu leads formidable raiding party for Saint-Cloud Group 1 honours

Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Angel Bleu leads a strong British and Irish challenge heading to Saint-Cloud for the final Group 1s of the French calendar on Saturday.

The Ralph Beckett-trained colt is stepping up to a mile for the first time in the Criterium International () in what will be the eighth run of a notable campaign which, as well as his Group 1 breakthrough, included victory in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood just three days after he had finished second at Ascot.

Jamie McCalmont, racing manager to owner Marc Chan, said: "It's been a long year for him and this will be his eighth start so we're asking an awful lot, but he has a great mind. He ran his heart out three weeks ago but the way he was running across the line last time I can't see the trip being an excuse.

Criterium International racecard

"He's a Group 1-winning two-year-old and he's never missed a beat. He runs his heart out every time and he's the kind of horse you feel proud to be involved with."

Aidan O'Brien, who sits third in the French trainer standings having plundered five Group 1s there this year, has two chances of landing a sixth International with Group 3 winner Glounthaune and Autumn Stakes fourth Aikhal.

Glounthaune rebounded from finishing sixth in the Dewhurst with victory in the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown and he is set to compete for a third consecutive weekend.

Glounthaune (no.3): a Group 3 Leopardstown winner on his last startCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Further British interest comes from the consistent Nick Bradley Racing-owned filly Oscula, who puts Angel Bleu's busy campaign in the shade as she prepares for a tenth outing.

Bradley is hopeful of one more big run from the Group 3 winner and said: "Our filly and Angel Bleu had tough races at Longchamp and I just hope this doesn't come too soon for her.

"George [Boughey, trainer] would describe her as the toughest horse in the yard. I've run her plenty this year and she's never let us down. A turning track should be fine and a mile should be fine, there just might be one to two in there who have done a little bit more but we go there with a good chance."

There seems to be no end to the amount of high-class juveniles emerging from Charlie Appleby's Moulton Paddocks yard, and Zetland Stakes winner Goldspur looks well positioned to throw his hat into the ring for next year's Classics as he bids to maintain an unbeaten record in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud ().

Appleby said: "We were pleased with how Goldspur won his race at Newmarket, when his stamina came to the fore. He broke his maiden on soft ground, so conditions shouldn't be an issue. This is another step up but it looks the right race for him."

Goldspur: followed up his debut Sandown victory by landing a Group 2 at NewmarketCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Michael Bell pitches Pontefract novice winner Dillian into Group 1 company on his third start in the same race. Bell said: "He's won over the trip, he's very promising with a very good temperament and we're expecting a good run. It's a bit of a leap of faith going straight into a Group 1 but he's an exciting middle-distance prospect for next year. Any rain won't inconvenience him."

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Stone Age steps up in trip after finishing sixth to Angel Bleu in the Lagardere, while the Irish trainer's sons Joseph and Donnacha are represented by Buckaroo and Unconquerable respectively.

Group 3 Prix de Conde winner El Bodegon goes in search of a first Group 1 victory for trainer James Ferguson in a race that had been largely dominated by the home team recently until Gear Up triumphed for Mark Johnston last year.

Criterium de Saint-Cloud racecard

Follow your favourites with our amazing Horse Tracker feature. Add up to 1,000 horses to your stable, filter them and keep up to date with automatic email alerts. Join Members' Club Ultimate now and never miss a winner again!