Greenham runner-up Rashabar the major missing name after the first forfeits stage for Sunday's French 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas

Rashabar will not attempt to reverse the form of his Greenham Stakes defeat to Jonquil in Sunday’s Poule d’Essai des Poulains, his trainer Brian Meehan has revealed.

Last year’s Coventry Stakes winner was a length and a half behind Jonquil on his reappearance at Newbury last month, but will not renew the rivalry at Longchamp in the French 2,000 Guineas.

“Unfortunately Rashabar will miss the Poules d’Essai des Poulains this Sunday,” said Meehan. “He spiked a temperature a couple of days ago, and subsequent blood tests have shown that he is not 100 per cent.”

The son of Holy Roman Emperor was beaten less than a length in Group 1 company on both of his starts in France as a juvenile, including when finishing ahead of 2,000 Guineas runner-up Field Of Gold in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

Meehan instead hopes to step Rashabar up to a mile for the first time in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on May 24, and added: “As always in these situations it is better to be cautious and we will now aim for the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh.”

Camille Pissarro: a Group 1 winner in France as a juvenileCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Twenty-one colts have gone forward for the Poule d’Essai des Poulains after Tuesday’s first forfeit stage, with Camille Pissarro – who got the better of Rashabar in the Lagardere at Longchamp – one of five potential runners for Aidan O’Brien alongside Breeders’ Cup hero Henri Matisse, Officer, Rock Of Cashel and Serengeti. 

After a Classic double on both sides of the Atlantic last weekend, Godolphin have only Aomori City remaining among the Poulains entries, while Juddmonte could have strong representation courtesy of Jonquil and Detain, who could reoppose the Charlie Fellowes-trained Luther, the pair having finished one-two in a conditions race at Chelmsford in March. 

Jessica Harrington is set to saddle Group 1-winning juvenile Hotazhell for his first start of the campaign, while Ridari heads the first four home from the main French trial, the Prix de Fontainebleau. 

Marcel Boussac principals Vertical Blue (red and green), Zarigana (farside) and Exactly could all run in the Poule d'Essai des PoulichesCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Aga Khan Studs has even more depth in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, with Prix de la Grotte winner Zarigana and the unbeaten Mandanaba among 16 fillies left in on Tuesday.

The presence of Grotte runner-up Shes Perfect means it could be a huge day for Fellowes, while Prix Marcel Boussac winner Vertical Blue also features at this stage, as does the third from that Group 1, Exactly, one of four left in the fillies' Classic for O'Brien. 

Among Juddmonte’s trial winners, Better Together remains on course for Longchamp from the Prix Imprudence, as do the John Gosden-trained Zanzoun and the filly that chased her home in the Nell Gwyn, Celestial Orbit for Ollie Sangster.

Poule d'Essai des Poulains (after 1st forfetit stage)

Ridari Francis Graffard
Sahlan Francis Graffard
Selenien Didier Guillemin
Misunderstood Mario Baratti
Don Mukasan Christopher Head
Aomori City Charlie Appleby
Reach The Sky Patrice Cottier
Detain John and Thady Gosden
Jonquil Andrew Balding
Heybetli Alicja Karkosa
Zarraf Alicja Karkosa
Rock Of Cashel Aidan O'Brien
Henri Matisse Aidan O'Brien
Harvey Peter Chapple-Hyam
Officer Aidan O'Brien
Luther Charlie Fellowes
Tipinso Jean-Claude Rouget
Houquetot Christopher Head
Hotazhell Jessica Harrington
Serengeti Aidan O'Brien
Camille Pissaro Aidan O'Brien

Camille Pissarro heads entries left in the Poulains by Aidan O'BrienCredit: Patrick McCann

Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (after 1st forfeit)

Mandanaba Francis Graffard
Zarigana Francis Graffard
Ghoufrann Hedi Ghabri
Shes Perfect Charlie Fellowes
Godspeed Carlos and Yann Lerner
Bedtime Story Aidan O'Brien
Exactly Aidan O'Brien
Merrily Aidan O'Brien
Daylight Patrice Cottier
Mimos Nicolas Le Roch
Swelter Dermot Weld
Zanzoun John and Thady Gosden
Better Together Andre Fabre
Heavens Gate Aidan O'Brien
Celestial Orbit Ollie Sangster
Vertical Blue Francis Graffard

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