Appleby, Hannon and O'Brien launch strong challenge at Group 1 Prix Jean Prat

Haras d'Etreham Prix Jean Prat (Group 1) | 7f | 3yo | Sky

It’s summer, it’s sizzling hot and it’s Deauville. Can you think of a better place to be? The visitors have certainly enjoyed their time by the beach in France as they have won all three runnings of the Prix Jean Prat since the race was cut to 7f and moved to Deauville.

Thunder Snow (when the race was still staged at Chantilly over a mile), Too Darn Hot, Pinatubo and last year Law Of Indices have been successful for British and Irish trainers in this Group 1 in the last four years and the market strongly hints another away win is on the cards.

Charlie Appleby saddled Pinatubo two years ago and has the most likely winner, with Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner and Prix du Jockey Club third Modern Games favourite.

He was no match for Vadeni at Chantilly, but the winner won last week’s Eclipse at Sandown and Modern Games probably did well to finish third given quite a lot went against him in that race. He had a wide draw in stall 13 and wouldn’t have been ideally suited by the soft ground.

The big question here is the drop to seven furlongs. Modern Games was strong at the finish in the Poulains and appeared to stay a mile and a quarter last time. Will this test of speed suit?

Tenebrism should find that sort of examination ideal. She was quick enough to beat Commonwealth Cup third Flotus over six in the Cheveley Park last year and has travelled well through her races over a mile this year, without quite seeing them out as she might have.

This year’s crop of three-year-old female milers is good. Inspiral can still be considered outstanding despite her defeat in the Falmouth and that came at the hands of another of the Classic generation in Prosperous Voyage. Her 1,000 Guineas defeat was behind Cachet, who finished second in the French version, so it’s hard to argue with the strength in Britain and Ireland.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Appleby aims for another French strike with Modern Games

Charlie Appleby is unfazed by the extreme drop in trip for Modern Games as the French 2,000 Guineas winner bids to get back to winning ways following his third-place finish in the Prix du Jockey Club last month.

The son of Dubawi started his season in terrific fashion when an impressive winner of the Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp, but failed to see out 1m2½f when beaten five and a quarter lengths by Vadeni at Chantilly.

Modern Games drops three and a half furlongs in trip for the Deauville Group 1, but Appleby is confident he can give him, jockey William Buick and Godolphin a second win in three years, having scored with Pinatubo in 2020.

Modern Games (blue): was no match for Vadeni in the Prix du Jockey Club last timeCredit: Julien de Rosa (AFP Getty Images)

Appleby said: "We have been delighted with Modern Games going into this. He clearly didn’t stay the extended ten furlongs in the Prix du Jockey Club.

"Dropping back to seven furlongs might appear extreme, but he's a strong-travelling horse. He looks to be in the same condition as when he won the French Guineas and that level of form will make him very competitive."

Lusail looking for elusive Group 1 win

Connections of Lusail believe he is cherry-ripe to pick up a breakthrough top-level success following his narrow defeat in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.

The Richard Hannon-trained performer outran his 28-1 odds when beaten a head by Coroebus at the royal meeting and owners Al Shaqab are eager to strike in Group 1 company with the son of Mehmas.

Lusail (maroon cap): narrow runner-up in the St James's Palace Stakes last timeCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Racing manager Alison Begley said: "He doesn't know how to run a bad race. He's done very little wrong in his career. He won two Group 2's over six furlongs last year, so he's not short of speed.

"It's always been the plan since his great run in the St James's Palace Stakes. He's very versatile, so stepping back in trip will be no problem."

What they say

Henri-Francois Devin, trainer of Texas
His preparation has gone very well, but I just wish we'd had some rain. It's a high-class race with both Tenebrism and Modern Games in it, albeit he is dropping back in trip significantly. I think Texas has the ability to run very well.

Andre Fabre, trainer of Tribalist
Tribalist had a good race in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and was unfortunately just beaten last time. He has come out of both races well and looks to be in good form.

Sheila Lavery, trainer of New Energy
He's travelled over well but we're just hoping this isn't coming too soon after Royal Ascot, where it was a bit of a messy race. He's been kept ticking along at home since, so we won't really know where we stand until he runs. Hopefully he should be suited by dropping back to seven furlongs.

David Simcock, trainer of Light Infantry
We had to take him out of Ascot and this was the obvious next race. It's suitable, but looks very competitive. I would've hoped to see more juice in the ground, but he's in good order.

Mikel Delzangles, trainer of Mangoustine
She came back from Ascot with a minor foot issue but that's been sorted and her work has been very good. I think the trip and the straight track will suit her and this is the last chance to race against her own age group, albeit against the colts. It won't be easy though, this is a strong Jean Prat.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Tenebrism
She seems to be in good form since her last run in the Coronation Stakes. We're coming down in trip here so it'll be interesting to see how she gets on, although we were happy with her run over a mile at Ascot. She was a little bit green on the bend there, so we'll see how she gets on over this straighter track.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

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