Can anything trouble Persian King? Key quotes and stats for the French Derby

Qipco Prix du Jockey Club | Group 1 | 3yo colts & fillies | 1m2½f | SSR

Andre Fabre is three-handed for France's equivalent of the Derby, a race in which three of the master trainer's four successes have come since the trip was reduced by a furlong and a half in 2005.

Persian King will be an overwhelming favourite following his hard-fought success on heavy ground in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains three weeks ago.

The forecast good ground at Chantilly is likely to be more in his favour, and the French handicapper gives the colt a 5lb advantage over his nearest rival, stablemate Slalom.

The key question is whether the son of Kingman can be as effective over this extra two and a half furlongs.

Only three of the eight Poule d'Essai winners to attempt the double since 2005 have been successful, though the French Guineas has provided six Jockey Club winners overall in that time period, including all three of Fabre's recent victors.

"Everything has gone fine since the Poule d'Essai and he's been no trouble," said Fabre. "In terms of him staying I have some confidence. It’s a solid pedigree on the dam’s side and Kingman has already had some middle-distance winners so I’m not too worried."

Slalom landed the Prix Noailles at Longchamp – a recognised Jockey Club trial – in impressive style when coming from the back, and is one of two unbeaten colts in the lineup.

Fabre's domination of the trials is underlined by Roman Candle, who improved from his seasonal reappearance to land the Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud last month.

"Slalom quickened well last time and has a good stride on him, he is a nice horse," Fabre added. "Roman Candle has to find something more to be competitive, but there are no other options for him."

O'Brien seeks Chantilly breakthrough

Ballydoyle's reverence for the Investec Derby means the operation has rarely sent a top-class colt to the Jockey Club.

Ryan Moore rides Cape Of Good Hope, who won Epsom's Blue Riband Trial in April and is a full brother to Highland Reel, who provided Aidan O'Brien with his best result in the Classic when a 16-1 runner-up to New Bay in 2015.

"He's been in good form since winning the Derby Trial at Epsom," O'Brien said. "He's got plenty of pace so we decided on this race rather than the Investec Derby as we think the trip will suit."

Cape Of Good Hope: won at Epsom last timeCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Donnacha O'Brien will be aboard Mohawk, who chased home Circus Maximus in the Dee Stakes at Chester but did not benefit for the drop back in trip in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. O'Brien's team is completed by Blenheim Palace, who will be ridden by Seamie Heffernan.

On his two other runners, O'Brien added: "It's only eight days since Mohawk ran in the Irish Guineas but he came out of the race well and we think the distance will suit. The better the ground, the more it will suit.

"Blenheim Palace ran his best race last time when second in the Derrinstown Derby Trial and if he can improve again he could go well."

Surfman rides the Varian wave

The Roger Varian-trained Surfman finished five lengths behind Telecaster when third in the Dante, and has been sent to Chantilly in preference of Epsom.

"He ran a good race on only his third start to finish third in the Dante Stakes and he has trained well at home in the short time between races," Varian said. "Besides Persian King the race looks an open one and we are excited for Surfman to take his chance."

Kick On (Oisin Murphy,right) beats Walkinthesand (Tom Marquand) in the Feilden Stakes Pic: Edward WhitakerCredit: Edward Whitaker

Gosden looking to Kick On from Guineas

Kick On travelled smoothly for a long way in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, losing a couple of spots late on to finish seventh.

The son of Charm Spirit had previously made all over nine furlongs Newmarket in April, and Qatar Racing manager David Redvers said: "John Gosden and Oisin Murphy both feel that the trip will be key to the horse. We've been looking forward to this race since the Fielden and the first thing Oisin said when he got of was that Kick On would be the perfect horse for Chantilly."

Balding happy for Raise You to bowl along

The Listed Fairway Stakes has been won by the likes of Old Persian and Melbourne Cup hero Green Moon in recent seasons, and Andrew Balding is hoping that Raise You can step up on his victory in the same race last month.

The trainer said: "He won at Newmarket only two weeks ago so it might be a concern running him back so soon, but he won comfortably enough and hopefully it didn't take much out of him. He doesn't have to make the running but likes to use his stride."

Key stat: Chantilly an interesting proving ground

After the Poule d'Essai des Poulains, the most fruitful route to Jockey Club success since 2005 has been to win your prep at Chantilly. Four winners in that period have done so, and thus it could pay to keep a close eye on Sottsass – a Siyouni half brother to both Sistercharlie and My Sister Nat – and Motamarris, who is yet to face top-class opposition but remains unbeaten.

What they trainers say

Alain de Royer-Dupre, trainer of Zarkallani
I had the choice of either running here or working him on Sunday, because he always needs a gallop following a race but we are taking the risk. I had it in mind that he could back up if he showed me enough at Longchamp last week.

Freddy Head, trainer of Motamarris
I didn't want him to have hard races in advance so we've gradually built him up and now we’ll find out how good he is. He'll be fine on the ground.

Simone Brogi, trainer of Rockemperor
The horse has improved with every run and although he is among the outsiders, he has everything in his favour including good ground and a good draw in stall seven.

Jean-Claude Rouget, trainer of Joe Francais and Sottsass
The owner has been with me for a long time and Joe Francais is a good horse, though this will be tough for him. Sottsass did it well on soft ground last time and I don’t really know whether he will be as effective on a sounder surface. He has shown a little bit of temperament but is becoming more mature with racing.

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