Headman aims for Deauville riches but Roger Charlton has ground concerns

The hulking Headman, long held in high regard by Roger Charlton, bids for a second Group 2 success in the valuable Prix Guillaume d'Ornano Haras du Logis Saint-German (3.30) at Deauville, although the prospect of easy conditions is a worry for his team.

A Khalid Abdullah homebred, Headman won Newbury's London Gold Cup in May before a convincing display in the Prix Eugene Adam in June.

That was over 1m2f, the same trip as this race, which is worth £360,360 with £205,405 going to the winner.

"He's had a good preparation and travelled over last night," Charlton said on Wednesday. "We would have preferred fast ground as he didn't run very well in the soft at Newbury in April, but there we are – we can't change it.

"Other than that, the race looks ideal and I'm happy with him, while the track won't be a problem."

Twist 'N' Shake (right): an eyecatching winner at Listed level last timeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Deauville's card also features the Group 3 Arqana Prix de Lieurey (2.50), in which John Gosden runs Twist 'N' Shake, a course winner at Listed level last month.

"She won nicely in Listed company over there last time and has come out of that in good shape," Gosden said. "Obviously this is more competitive with some strong French fillies in there, but this looks the natural next step for her."

Roger Varian is also represented at Deauville, running the useful Mountain Angel in the Prix Gontaut-Biron Hong Kong Jockey Club (4.40) against last year's Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner Olmedo and the consistent Czech gelding Subway Dancer.

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