Mishriff out to make Dettori's French trip worthwhile in Prix Guillaume d'Ornano

1.35 Deauville
Prix Guillaume d’Ornano - Haras du Logis Saint-Germain (Group 2) | 3yo | 1m2f | SKY

Even by the standards of a race designed as a bridge for horses between the Prix du Jockey Club and the big all-aged targets, attracting the first three from Chantilly sets up a fascinating scenario.

Mishriff showed an electric turn of foot to settle the Classic in a matter of strides and it is easy to make the argument that he might have won by further if Ioritz Mendizabal had seen daylight earlier.

Whether that can be such a potent weapon following heavy rain in Normandy is one unknown – his young sire Make Believe handled cut in the ground – while the dynamics of a five-runner race may play to a more positive ride. On that score he was never far from the head of the field in the Jockey Club so Frankie Dettori may not be inconvenienced.

The Summit is tactically flexible and made the running in the Prix de Fontainebleau, the first of two occasions this season he has bested Victor Ludorum. Olivier Peslier was also positive in the Jockey Club despite doubts about his stamina and it would be no surprise to see him lead.

Victor Ludorum: won the Poule d'Essai des Poulains at DeauvilleCredit: Scoopy Dyga

Victor Ludorum did get the better of The Summit when showing brutal acceleration in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains, while it looked like it was a wide trip more than the extra distance which cost him at Chantilly. His habit of being cold early in the race doesn't help Mickael Barzalona, while he pulled hard without cover on his reappearance in the Fontainebleau. All that said, he has plenty of raw ability.

Crossfirehurricane is the only horse to come here via any race other than the Jockey Club. A comfortable winner of the Gallinule Stakes, he then failed to get involved in the Irish Derby off a short turnaround. Back at a mile and a quarter, he adds an important extra dimension and has the assistance of Pierre-Charles Boudot.

Key stat

The Guillaume d’Ornano achieved its current status of "super-Group 2" in 2011 when the prize-money was raised from €130,000 to €400,000. Since then it has been a popular next start for winners of the Prix du Jockey Club. Mishriff will be the fifth such candidate in the last six years but the record of his predecessors is mixed, with New Bay and Almanzor doubling up, while Brametot and Study Of Man were both well beaten.

What they say

John Gosden, trainer of Mishriff
It's the last time the three-year-olds can compete against their own age group at this level, and he carries no penalty for a Group 1 success which helps. We've had this race in mind for him since Chantilly and it's a race we've won before. They've had some rain over there and he handled deep ground as a two-year-old so he should be okay.

Andre Fabre, trainer of Victor Ludorum
I’m happy with him. He’s regained some freshness since the Prix du Jockey Club and he’s working well. The soft ground we expect shouldn’t be a problem and so let’s hope he has a good race. He has to come from behind so I hope there is enough pace for him.

Joseph O’Brien, trainer of Crossfirehurricane
This race has been the target since the Irish Derby. The course and distance should be quite suitable. Obviously it looks a very hot race but he’s in good shape and we’re hoping he can run well.

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