Fascinating Prix Greffulhe could throw up contenders for the Derby and the Oaks

Sunday: 1.33 Saint-Cloud
Prix Greffulhe (Group 2) | 1m2f110y | Sky

Andre Fabre is no stranger to getting creative when it comes to big-race preparation and Agave will put her Cazoo Oaks credentials on the line when taking on five colts, including the classically-bred Sir Bob Parker for David Menuisier, in the Group 2 Prix Greffulhe (1.33)

Agave is closely related to the mighty Enable and Fabre first mentioned Epsom as a possibility after she made a winning return to action in the Listed Prix Rose de Mai at Saint-Cloud.

She then went on to extend her unbeaten record back at the Parisian venue in the Group 3 Prix Penelope and with the Oaks now firmly on the agenda, Fabre has decided to test Agave's mettle by taking on the boys while once again going left-handed at Saint-Cloud.

Cazoo Oaks: betting and entries

Agave is vying for third favouritism for the Oaks with her price ranging between 6-1 and 10-1 and Fabre underlined that she will need a decent performance to book her trip to Epsom.

He said: "It is an important test. If she wins well she will go to the Oaks."

It is 29 years since Sheikh Mohammed's Intrepidity provided Fabre with his sole success in the Oaks – she was also France's most recent success – while the Greffulhe was also the race he used to prepare Pour Moi ahead of the Derby in 2011.

Sir Bob Parker reopposes Mirabad, who he beat a short neck at Chantilly on very soft ground in mid-April.

Menuisier said: "He hasn't done a great deal since Chantilly because he's fit and such a big horse, you have to make sure he doesn't lose too much weight. He's not the sort you want to overwork in the morning."

A general 50-1 chance for the Cazoo Derby, Sir Bob Parker hails from the famous Ecurie des Monceaux family of Chicquita, Magic Wand and English King – all of whom thrived over a mile and a half – but Menuisier is in no hurry to step him up in trip.

David Menuisier hopes Sir Bob Parker can enhance his claims for the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club at Saint-Cloud on SundayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"The hope is that he can do himself justice at this trip [a mile two and a half furlongs] with the Jockey Club in mind, should he be good enough." said Menuisier.

"He should stay one mile four [furlongs] in time but I don't think I would be in any rush. From what we know in the mornings, the quicker you go, the more comfortable he is. He's a horse with a lot of pace.

"It will be interesting to see him on a quicker surface over this particular trip."

Cazoo Derby: betting and entries

Unconventional Fabre: three masterstrokes of big-race preparation

1993 Arcangues beat one home on heavy ground in the Prix Dollar before landing the Breeders' Cup Classic on his first public try on dirt. Fabre had first identified his ability for the surface in a dirt gallop at Chantilly in the summer.

Intello and Olivier Peslier on their way to an easy comeback win in the Feilden Stakes at NewmarketCredit: Alan Crowhurst

2012 Intello was sent over to Newmarket to score an easy success in the Listed Feilden Stakes over nine furlongs before going on to be an unlucky third in the French Guineas and a dominant winner of the Prix du Jockey Club.

2015 The five-year-old Flintshire had a notable preference for fast ground and, having been beaten in his Arc preparation at Longchamp at both three and four, Fabre sent him to Saratoga in upstate New York for the Grade 1 Sword Dancer Stakes. He then returned to Longchamp, where he beat perennial rival Treve and found only Golden Horn too strong in the Arc.

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