Cup favourite Red Cardinal faces tough test in Prix Kergorlay

Darley Prix Kergorlay | Group 2 | 3yo+ | 1m7f Turf

Andreas Wohler knows the plot by heart, having landed this race two years ago with Protectionist en route to glory at Flemington.

This year's Melbourne Cup project, Red Cardinal, already carries the coulours of Australian Bloodstock and comes here after landing the Grade 1 Belmont Gold Cup in June.

Wohler said of Red Cardinal, who carries a 2lb penalty: "He's in good shape. This will be a tougher race than New York but hopefully he'll do it well again. The faster they go for him the better it is; pace helps him a lot."

Sir Mark Prescott came off second best when Melbourne-bound St Michel finished second to Red Cardinal at Belmont and tries again here with Pallasator, who was not disgraced when sixth in the Goodwood Cup last time.

Hughie Morrison took this prize 12 months ago with Nearly Caught and returns with both the defending champion and stablemate Marmelo, who also has good course and distance form from last summer and who was a fast-finishing second at Saint-Cloud in July.

"Nearly Caught won the race last year and loves Deauville so it made sense to have another crack at it with him," said Morrison.

"Marmelo ran well last time and this looks his trip. There aren't that many staying races around at present so it made sense to have a crack at this."

Skyline represents the British

Charlie Appleby's Endless Time may be a non-runner but there is still a British challenger in the shape of the David Elsworth-trained Desert Skyline, who proved his ability to stay this trip when an excellent third behind Stradavarius and Big Orange in the Goodwood Cup.

OTI Management have, like Red Cardinal's connections, long-term spring carnival hopes for the Andre Fabre-trained Casterton, who along with fellow-three-year-old Desert Skyline receives weight from the other runners.

Casterton steps up from an extended mile and a half on what will be only his fifth start.