Caravaggio odds-on to put the record straight at Deauville
Caravaggio will attempt to restore a reputation slightly dented by last month’s July Cup defeat when he takes on 12 rivals in Sunday’s LARC-sponsored Prix Maurice de Gheest over six and a half furlongs.
The son of Scat Daddy is a best-priced 4-5 to add a third career Group 1 success on his first attempt at further than six furlongs.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien landed the first of Deauville’s five Group 1s this summer with Roly Poly last Sunday and will be represented not only by Caravaggio – unbeaten until finishing fourth to Harry Angel at Newmarket – but also by Intelligence Cross.
Wesley Ward and Frankie Dettori team up with Bound For Nowhere, who finished fourth to Caravaggio at Ascot under David Flores.
Dettori was aboard Magical Memory when the pair were successful in Newbury’s Hackwood Stakes, meaning Charlie Hills has turned to the in-form Andrea Atzeni.
Further strength to the overseas challenge is supplied by July Cup third Brando, the Richard Hannon-trained Tupi, and Martyn Meade's Aclaim, for whom Olivier Peslier has been booked.
Last year’s winner, Signs Of Blessing is a best-priced 5-1 second favourite, with the Andre Fabre-trained Rosa Imperial also trading in single figures.
Deauville director of racing Olivier Louit is forecasting good ground for Sunday’s meeting.
Speaking ahead of racing on Friday, he said: “The ground today is 3.4 – good to soft – on the penetrometer but, with barely any more rain forecast between now and Sunday I would expect us to be racing at 3.2 or good ground."
As well as Caravaggio, Ryan Moore will be aboard Lancashire Oaks runner-up Abingdon for Sir Michael Stoute and Ballymacoll Stud in the Group 2 Haras Firmamento Prix de Pomone.
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