Haggas out to maintain fine French run with trio of challengers at Saint-Cloud

William Haggas has been a profitable trainer to follow on his trips to France this year, with 12 of the 18 runners sent out from Somerville Lodge having finished in the first three.

Although he has no representative in the feature Criterium de Saint-Cloud, Haggas has his eye on the trio of Group 3s on the undercard, with Mankib the lead-off horse in the Prix Perth (1.35 ATR)

Formerly trained in Chantilly by Freddy Head, Mankib has been campaigned exclusively over seven furlongs since joining Haggas but returns to a turning mile after finishing well adrift of Limato when fourth in the Challenge Stakes.

Mankib has become much more tractable during the year after patient work from trainer William Haggas and jockey Jim Crowley.Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com,/photos)

"It didn’t go his way at Newmarket," said Haggas. "We’ve spent a long time trying to get him to settle and he's relaxing well now. It’s a shame Jim [Crowley] can’t ride but Christophe [Soumillon] is great. We feel he's in good form and we want to know where we are trip-wise."

Mankib's former trainer runs Enlighted, who has not been able to build on a fine Listed success at Longchamp in March.

Head said: "I’ve had a few issues with her, especially with her feet, but I think she's in great form. Softer ground would have helped."

Godolphin's French arm is represented by Graphite, Jimmy Two Times and Wootton, who is penalised for his early season success in the Prix Fontainebleau in April, but who would be arguably the pick of these on his best form.

In an open-looking Prix Belle De Nuit (3.20 ATR) Haggas relies on Klassique, who as the first racing-age daughter of Chachamaidee is bred to be Group class, and who has progressed quickly through the handicap ranks.

"She's up in grade and trip," said Haggas. "I'd prefer her over a mile and a half but she's entitled to have a shot at a Group 3 and there isn’t one at a mile and a half for fillies.

"Each run has been a considerable improvement on the one before and she's clearly going the right way. At this time of year, if they perform, fillies can do pretty remarkable things."

Star Rock has been a model of consistency over four starts in Group or Listed company this season and looked likely to play a leading role until inside the final furlong when fourth to Highgarden at Newmarket last time.

"We did think about going for the fillies' race at Ascot last week but thought this was better for her, and it's the only race remaining this year she could have gone for," said trainer Hughie Morrison.

"She's shown she definitely gets the trip but loves soft ground and it's shame it might be a little on the quick side."

Just about the classiest line-up of the three supporting Group races is found in the Prix de Flore (3.55 ATR), which brings together seven fillies and mares over a mile and a quarter.

Lady Frankel was below her best when a well-beaten tenth in the Prix de l'Opera but is dangerous to discount at this time of the year, while Shahnaza drops back in trip after just running out of time when a fast-finishing third in the Prix de Royallieu.

Queen Of Time has been placed three times at Listed level and still seems to be progressing for Henry Candy, while Haggas reunites Ioritz Mendizabal and Dynamic, a combination which proved successful two starts ago in the Listed Grand Prix de Fontainebleau.

"We've confirmed that a mile and a quarter is a better trip for her and she ran a very good race at Newmarket last time behind a very well-handicapped filly," said Haggas.

"She looks great and is perfectly entitled to have a shot at this. She'll be retired and this is her swansong."

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