Century Dream steps out at Deauville on trail of all-weather finals day

12.50 Deauville
Prix Lyphard (Listed) | 1m1½f | 3yo+ | SKY

Classy turf performer Century Dream is out to score on his first attempt on the all-weather in a competitive turnout for the Listed Prix Lyphard at Deauville.

The first of three fast-track qualifiers in France for the all-weather championships, the 1m1½f contest features three British-trained runners and two contenders from Germany among its 14-strong field.

The winner is offered a free and guaranteed start in the £200,000 Betway Easter Classic on all-weather finals day at Lingfield on April 10.

Century Dream posted a career-best effort when third in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot last year, a race in which he finished seventh this time around before running a fair second to Roseman in the Listed Ben Marshall Stakes at Newmarket this month.

Trainer Simon Crisford said: "It's Century Dream's first run on the all-weather but he has plenty of experience of it at home and we are hoping for a good run.

Century Dream: winning the 2018 Diomed Stakes at EpsomCredit: Mark Cranham

"He had the summer off after running in Meydan in the spring and looks to be coming to the boil at just the right time. He ran well to be second at Newmarket last time and this looks the right spot for him."

The other British interest is provided by six-year-old Dalgarno, trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam, and fellow Newmarket trainee Nkosikazi, who posted a career-best third behind Delphinia at this level at Lingfield last time and represents William Haggas.

Haggas, who won two Group 3 races on the same card at Saint-Cloud last month, said: "Nkosikazi is dropping in trip but there are few options available for her at the moment and we're hoping for some more black type as she's in the sales at Tattersalls on Tuesday."

Rolando, who was beaten a neck in this a year ago, is the representative of German trainer Andreas Wohler. The five-year-old has since captured a Listed event at Compiegne in June and was last seen finishing fifth in a Group 3 at Baden-Baden in October.

Wohler said: "Rolando has been working nicely and comes into this race in good form. He didn't appreciate the heavy ground at Baden-Baden, which is why we've decided to switch him back to the all-weather.

"He seems to go well on the surface and ran a very good race to be second in the Prix Lyphard last year."

Germany's other contender is Wonnemond, whose best display was when defeating Dream Castle in the Group 2 International Topkapi Trophy two years ago.

The domestic challenge is headed by the Andre Fabre-trained Folamour, who was fourth in a Group 2 last time but has been off since June.

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