Dettori goes in pursuit of third Derby Italiano on French ace Kensai

Derby Italiano – Sisal Matchpoint | (Gr 2) | 3yo | 1m3f

Frankie Dettori has high hopes of winning Italy's premier Classic for the third time when he flies to Rome to partner French-trained Kensai.

Dettori, whose previous two wins were recorded in Godolphin colours on Mukhalif in 1999 and Mastery in 2009, teams up with Simone Brogi, an Italian who trains in France, for the €704,000 prize.

Kensai boasts genuine Group-race credentials, having finished a close fourth to leading Prix du Jockey-Club contender Graphite in the Group 3 Prix La Force at Chantilly last month. The runner-up Phelps Win went on to land the Group 3 Prix de Guiche two weeks ago.

Brogi, who is based in Pau, south-west France, said of him: "He took the journey well and is in good physical shape.

"The form of his run in the Prix La Force is strong and I've had this race in mind for him for quite a while. It won't be easy against three good Italian horses and there's no way of knowing how the form compares."

Kensai will be running a furlong further than he has travelled before, and Brogi added: "The step up in trip is a question mark. He's by Jukebox Jury and I've always thought of him as a horse who would stay well, but he does have a good turn of foot, so we'll have to hope he doesn't lose that over 2,200m. The jockey won't harm his chances!"

Kensai faces solid opposition, headed by the first three home in the Italian 2,000 Guineas, Anda Muchacho, Patriot Hero and Amore Hass, who is one of six runners for Stefano Botti. Another is Mac Mahon, recently purchased by powerful Japan-based owner Takaya Shimikawa and unbeaten in three starts.

Mehl-Mulhens-Rennen – German 2,000 Guineas | Gr 2 | 3yo | 1m

Lockheed, who finished third behind 2,000 Guineas winner Churchill in the Group 1 National Stakes last year, launches his campaign in Germany's version of the Newmarket Classic.

The William Haggas-trained colt was beaten four and a half lengths at the Curragh but appeared not to handle the Rowley Mile when down the field behind Lingfield Derby Trial winner Best Solution in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes.

Lockheed (Ryan Moore) wins his maiden at Goodwood last JulyCredit: Edward Whitaker

Lockheed is entered in the St James's Palace Stakes, and Haggas said: "He's not a bad horse and is fresh and well. This is a nice race for him. He needs a run before Royal Ascot and this is a good fit. The race has been a plan for a while."

The Group 2 prize went back to Newmarket last year, when the Marco Botti-trained Encounter won under Ryan Moore.

Lockheed, ridden by Pat Cosgrave, faces eight opponents, including Group 3 winner Dragon Lips, trained by Andreas Suborics, while Andreas Wohler, victorious two years ago, saddles three runners.

Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris | Gr 1 | 5yo+ | 3m6f

A year ago So French, under James Reveley, arrived at France's version of the Gold Cup as the outsider among a three-strong Guillaume Macaire attack.

The holding conditions at Auteuil that day played to his strength and So French made virtually every stamina-sapping yard to win. A year on, and with 2015 winner Milord Thomas sidelined, the reigning champion is rated more than a stone superior to any of his 14 rivals.

So French and James Reveley lead them over the water on the way to victory in last year's Grand Steeple-ChaseCredit: © Aprh

Yet Macaire – who also saddles Beguin D'Estruval – is not counting chickens before what is always a gruelling test of jumping and galloping.

"So French is ready to do his best but I'd have preferred more rain," said Macaire. "Last year he had an abscess on his foot the day of his prep run and we had to skip the Prix Ingre. That worked, so I've kept with the same programme.

"He's shown better form in the run-up than last year, when he hadn't won any of his trials."

Perfect Impulse won the Ingre last month and receives the 4lb allowance for five-year-olds that So French enjoyed in the 2016 running.

Arnaud Chaille-Chaille's charge must prove his stamina, something that should be no worry to Mali Borgia, who represents the father-and-son partnership of Philippe and David Cottin and who carries the red-and-green silks of Francis Teboul made famous by dual French Champion Hurdle winner Gemix.

Trainer Philippe Cottin said: "He's improving with age and will love the trip."

Shannon Rock has been runner-up in this race four times and will be contesting his sixth Grand Steeple-Chase.

His trainer Jean-Paul Gallorini will be hopeful of success in the day's other Grade 1, the Prix Ferdinand Dufaure, in which the giant Dalko Moriviere may be able to take advantage of the injury-enforced absence of Edward D'Argent, the best four-year-old chaser in France to this point.