Caravaggio seeking another masterpiece after Cup setback

2.45 Deauville

LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest |Group 1 |3yo+ | 6½f | ATR/RUK

Ever since he careered to victory in last season's Coventry Stakes when drawn away from all the action, Caravaggio has been a horse from whom we expect an extravagant change of gear at the end of his races.

It was there again at the royal meeting last month when he came from well off a searing pace to cut down Harry Angel and Blue Point in the Commonwealth Cup, with the reopposing Bound For Nowhere back in fourth.

But having again got himself behind at the start in the July Cup he was unable to reel in Harry Angel off considerably less frantic fractions, finishing fourth, and it can be only of benefit that he has an extra half-furlong here in which to engage top gear.

Against that, the dead flat terrain means speed is just as much of a factor here as over shorter at Ascot or Newmarket, so Ryan Moore won't be able to afford the front-runners too much rope.

"Caravaggio seems fine and we're very happy with him," said trainer Aidan O'Brien, who also saddles another three-year-old in Intelligence Cross, who was just a place behind his stablemate in the July Cup.

The trainer added: "Caravaggio has not done a lot since Newmarket but everything we've done with him has gone well. He seems to be fine and very well in himself.

"Intelligence Cross ran quite well at Newmarket. It's the same story with him, he's not done a lot since and seems in good form."

Home favourite Blessing on a retrieval mission

Signs Of Blessing is bidding to repeat this victory last season

Trainer Francois Rohaut was open in his criticism of the way his staff were prevented from rehydrating Signs Of Blessing when he arrived at Ascot from his summer base in Deauville in June, with the six-year-old unable to do himself justice behind the brilliant Lady Aurelia in the King's Stand.

Deauville is Signs Of Blessing's favourite track and, having broken his Group 1 duck in this race under regular partner Stephane Pasquier 12 months ago, he returned to give a devastating display in the Group 3 Prix Saint-Georges in May.

Having served it up to the very best in Hong Kong and at Ascot, Signs Of Blessing seems much happier with the comforts of home.

Rohaut said on Saturday: "I don’t know what specifically about Deauville he likes but I think it helps that it’s one of the few times in the year he doesn’t have to travel. That might be the difference, and although he's run very well around the world he doesn’t find the travelling easy.

"Everything's gone fine and he’s just been out for his last canter this morning. He's in really good shape and on very good terms with himself, so may the best horse win. I hope it’s him."

Ward hoping Nowhere bound for somewhere

Bound For Nowhere with trainer Wesley WardCredit: Rcaing Post / Scott Burton

Wesley Ward already has a pair of Prix Morny trophies on the sideboard and now saddles his first three-year-old in one of Deauville's premier events.

Bound For Nowhere has a yawning four and a half lengths to find with Caravaggio on their Commonwealth Cup run, but that was only the third run of his life and Ward believes there will be much less between the two colts this time with old ally Frankie Dettori on board.

The trainer said: "He was compromised a little bit by Caravaggio. I think it cost him a few lengths, although I don't think it cost him a placing. Caravaggio was absolutely the best horse in the race and he wouldn't have beaten him that day, although he'd have been closer.

"My horse is improving enough to be as good, if not a little better, than Caravaggio – and we might be catching him at a good point in his career, where he might be trying to regain his form."

Ward added: "I think he learned a lot. It was his first time on a straight. A week prior we breezed him with Lady Aurelia and he was lost in the work, waiting for a turn. He learned a lot from that to the race, where he ran valiantly, but I think that experience at Ascot is going to really help him here."

Fas could be fascinating

Brando put up another excellent Group 1 performance when third to Harry Angel in the July Cup, having filled the same position in the Champions Sprint last October.

The predicted good ground (3.2 on the penetrometer) is likely to suit Kevin Ryan's contender, while Charlie Hills and Martyn Meade might have preferred the cloudy Deauville skies to have produced some of the threatened rain this week for their contenders Magical Memory and Aclaim.

Rosa Imperial has been impressive in her three starts and it speaks volumes of how well Andre Fabre regards her that he kept her in training to make her debut at four.

With the three-year-olds proving such a force against their elders this term it will be fascinating to see how Fas performs on his first start since April, having thrashed subsequent French Guineas winner Precieuse in the Prix Sigy on that occasion.

What they say

Kevin Ryan, trainer of Brando
I don't think the extra half furlong will be a problem and it looks likely to be good ground. It was a very good run at Newmarket and he's come out of it really well, so we're looking forward to running him.

Martyn Meade, trainer of Aclaim
He's in good form. He was a bit unlucky at Goodwood in the week and didn't have a hard race, so we thought we'd have a go. Six furlongs is a little on the sharp side for him and so this should be ideal. It doesn't look like they'll get the rain we've had at home, unfortunately.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Magical Memory
Deauville looked quick enough last week but hopefully they’ll get some rain as he proved how effective he was on soft ground at Newbury. He’s been fine since and worked on Tuesday morning. This is over six and a half, and I think that extra half-furlong will really help him.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Tupi
Hopefully the ground is quickening up for him. This is his trip, and although he's got to up his game to be competitive he's the sort who can do that.

Didier Guillemin, trainer of The Right Man

Didier Guillemin: The Right Man in better form now than at Royal AscotCredit: Patrick McCann

In retrospect it was a tough ask to run at Ascot as a comeback against horses really tuned up. I think he's in better form now and perhaps in a slightly easier race. He seems well but I think he's more of an autumn horse – he didn't run well in this race last year.

Lisa-Jane Graffard, representative for Godolphin, owners of Rosa Imperial
She's unbeaten in three starts but this is a big step up to Group 1 company and she's coming up against some very good sprinters. She's done nothing wrong in her races and is an improving filly. Hopefully this race will tell us a bit more about her.

Pia Brandt, trainer of Fas
It's a big day to be making a comeback but we're treating it just like a normal race. We'll see him up against the best horses over this trip in Europe. I hope he'll acquit himself well and we'll know more after the race. He's taken his work well and is ready.

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