Hey Gaman continues Longchamp love affair as Tate eyes bigger targets

Hey Gaman continued his impressive start to the season with a powerful display in the Group 3 Prix du Palais-Royal at Longchamp on Thursday.

In a seven-furlong race which looked deep for the grade, Hey Gaman held off King Malpic and Polydream under a determined PJ McDonald.

Arguably the best performance of his career came here last May when finding only Olmedo too strong in the French 2,000 Guineas but trainer James Tate might not be in a rush to try him at a mile after this performance on the speedy downhill Longchamp 'toboggan'.

"He's such a favourite because he wears his heart on his sleeve and tries so hard," said Tate. "We definitely think he's improved from three to four and he just seems in really good form.

"He gets a mile round a bend but I'm beginning to wonder if seven furlongs is his best trip and we'll look at the Lennox at Goodwood and the Hungerford at Newbury, after which I would love to bring him back here for the Foret."

Tate said that a trip to Deauville for the LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest with either Hey Gaman or Invincible Army could come under consideration.

That race was won in spectacular fashion by Polydream in 2018 and she showed a little more spark than on her return at Saint-Cloud in finishing third here under a Group 1 penalty.

"One minute she was full of running but didn't quite sprint at the end," said Freddy Head. "She was giving away plenty of weight but normally she is above these and we will undoubtedly bring her back here for the Prix de la Porte Maillot."

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