Richard Fahey ready for the real Perfect Power to show up in sprint thriller

ARC Prix Maurice de Gheest (Group 1) 3yo+ | 6½f | SKY

Evidence of where the balance of power lies between the top three-year-old sprinters and their more experienced elders is still fairly scant.

But to judge by the market for this Group 1 sprint, the racing jury has already returned its verdict.

Platinum Jubilee Stakes hero Naval Crown heads most lists and Artorius, the horse who has rattled home to fill a place behind him at Ascot, then when he finished second in the July Cup, his main market rival.

Perfect Power surely ran below his best when plugging on for seventh at Newmarket, and there may be a case for recalling one of the many maxims favoured by French training legend Maurice Zilber – “losing form is no form at all”.

Of Perfect Power’s fancied classmates in the July Cup from the three-year-old promotion, Cadamosto reared in the stalls while a low draw may have compromised the chances of Flaming Rib and Twilight Jet.

None of which is to say the older horses may not continue to hold sway as the season progresses.

There has to be a chance that having perhaps been too keen to embrace the newcomers, the conventional wisdom will now surge too much towards the contrary view.

Perfect Power has at least shown a liking for Deauville’s fast and flat straight, coming from an unpromising position to run down his rivals in the Prix Morny last August.

Richard Fahey and Christophe Soumillon in conversation after the Commonwealth Cup success of Perfect PowerCredit: Edward Whitaker

Richard Fahey also has an excellent record in this corner of Normandy, having previously made off with the Prix Jacques le Marois with Ribchester, as well as the 2014 Maurice de Gheest with Garswood.

Harry Three will also carry the torch for the three-year-olds and, although the form of his win here in the Prix Kistena might not be the strongest in the line-up, he could not have been more impressive.

For the home team, Accakaba should be suited by the slight drop back in trip and didn’t look out of place on her only start at Group 1 level last year.

It's easy to get caught up with how much difference the extra 100 metres makes when compared with form over a dead six furlongs but even if an extra grain of stamina does come into play, Naval Crown is still going to be hard to peg back if getting the run on his rivals.

Artorius has run twice in Britain as if stretching out to seven furlongs would be an advantage and, along with the extra distance, he may be another who finds a flat track reminds him much more of home.

Appleby: Naval Crown 'looks the one to beat'

On the form of two Group 1 runs at Ascot and Newmarket which yielded a win and a second, Naval Crown is the rightful favourite.

He was ridden prominently on both occasions by James Doyle, who maintains the partnership with William Buick in Saratoga for the weekend.

Naval Crown is 'the one to beat' according to trainer Charlie ApplebyCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Naval Crown heads to Deauville in good shape on the back of his second in the July Cup," said Charlie Appleby. "We know that conditions in France are there to suit; he loves quick ground and has run well over seven furlongs in the past.

"Based on his form this year, he looks the one to beat."

Naval Crown has developed into a top sprinter this season but it should be remembered he was fourth in Poetic Flare's 2,000 Guineas, as well as a close-up second in the Jersey over seven furlongs.

Perfect Power returns to site of Morny triumph

Perfect Power proved himself the best of his generation as a two-year-old, landing the Group 1 Prix Morny/Middle Park double, and showed he maintains that superiority at three when annexing the Commonwealth Cup at Ascot.

His first attempt against older opposition was something of an anti-climax as he was never involved in the July Cup, a race in which a prominent position and a high draw both seemed a big advantage.

Richard Fahey said: "It was a strange race at Newmarket, he recovered very quickly after the race. I just feel like he didn't perform on the day.

"It's a hard track to come from off the pace and the race showed that. But he's been in great form ever since and we're very happy with him."

Perfect Power and Christophe Soumillon after the Prix Morny last seasonCredit: Scott Burton

Having shown his liking for Deauville a year ago and with proven stamina for seven furlongs as shown in the Greenham Stakes, Perfect Power is expected to be suited by the unusual distance of the Maurice de Gheest.

"I think he'll be more comfortable coming to Deauville over six and a half furlongs than the six at Newmarket," said Fahey. "At the start of the season it was a race that we earmarked he would definitely be at and Christophe [Soumillon] was very keen as well."

What they say

Alessandro Botti, trainer of Amilcar
He's been in good form since winning the Porte Maillot. This is obviously a better race but he has earned the right to be here and once you win your Group 3, there's no choice but to take on these horses. I think 1,300 metres could be his ideal trip.

David Evans, trainer of Rohaan
It was nice to see him back up the Ascot run last time and we were all delighted with the Newbury run, when Hollie may have mistimed it slightly and got there 100 yards too soon. He has got that turn of foot when you time it right. He seems in fine form and, if he is, he'll go close.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Garrus
He's two from two at Deauville and six and half furlongs should suit him well. We thought we’d give him another go in a Group 1.

Owen Burrows, trainer of Minzaal
He wasn't stopping over six furlongs last time and, over another half a furlong, he might have won by two or three lengths. We had a blip at Royal Ascot but learned something. He'd been slow to come to hand at York in May, when he was also carrying a bit of condition and he hadn't switched on mentally. That York run did switch him on, but we tried cheekpieces and more prominent tactics at Ascot and he didn't see it out. It will be tough but he's pleased me and fingers crossed he can be competitive.

Highfield Princess and Jason Hart win the Duke Of York StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

John Quinn, trainer of Highfield Princess
We're very happy with her. We gave her a little break and her recent work has been good. She's very adaptable trip-wise and she's won up to seven furlongs, so this should six and a half on a flat track should be no problem. It's a tasty race but we're hoping for a good run. We thought about this race before she started off this season.

Clive Cox, trainer of Harry Three
He has been impeccable over the last three starts, but clearly this is a huge step into Group 1 company. He is a horse on the upward curve and he runs well on the track, like he did last time, albeit at Listed level. He has travelled over well and I hope he can show another pleasing performance and I'd be delighted if he could be in the money for a race of this calibre. Kieran [Shoemark] takes the ride, which I'm pleased about because it's a bit light for Adam [Kirby].

Yoshito Yahagi, trainer of King Hermes
I was pleased with the way he finished off his work over the final furlong [on Wednesday]. His work before the July Cup was less convincing and he didn't really enjoy the rising ground at the finish. The flat track and the extra distance should both suit him.

Yoshito Yahagi hopes Deauville will suit King Hermes better than Newmarket's July CourseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Christophe Ferland, trainer of Accakaba
She has come out of the Jean Prat and good form and I think she's ready to put in a good performance.

Yann Lerner, trainer of Miramar
She ran very well at Ascot in what was a real test for her. She is in fantastic form and has progressed a lot since the start of the year. While you would find it a little difficult to envisage her winning, she is certainly up to getting placed. She is drawn next to Naval Crown and I expect there to be plenty of pace around her.

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