Roger Varian and Emmaus fly the flag for Britain in Prix Messidor

3.20 Maisons-Laffitte
Prix Messidor | Group 3 | 1m | 3yo+

Roger Varian fields the sole British representative in the Prix Messidor at Maisons-Laffitte on Sunday as Emmaus steps up to Group company for the first time.

The lightly raced four-year-old won a Listed contest in heavy ground over seven furlongs at Leicester last time and goes back up to a mile for the first time since 2016, when he finished fourth at Deauville.

"He's in good form and we're really looking forward to running him over a mile. He ought to run well and be competitive," said Varian. "It's a select field and a competitive race but he's earned this step up in class.

"Emmaus ran well over a mile as a two-year-old, and after he finished strongly over seven furlongs at Leicester on soggy ground last time we decided to try him back over this trip."

He added: "It's a big bonus having Andrea [Atzeni] on board because he knows the horse well and they've struck up a winning formula in their last three outings."

The last British trainer to claim this prize was William Haggas in 2014, when Graphic won under Frankie Dettori.

Old foes meet again

Jimmy Two Times also returns to a mile and clashes again with last year’s winner Taareef, who he finished three lengths ahead of –receiving 3lb – when second in the Group 2 Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud in May, a race he had won in 2017.

Taareef winning under Christophe Soumillon at Chantilly in SeptemberCredit: Edward Whitaker

Jimmy Two Times has won three Group contests for Andre Fabre but has yet to get off the mark this season, placing in all four of his races, most recently over seven furlongs.

Lisa-Jane Graffard, of owners Godolphin, said: "Jimmy Two Times has been running well so far this year, although we are hoping to see a slight improvement over a trip that suits him."

This race is often a springboard to Deauville and a win here could encourage connections to consider a run in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest in two weeks' time.

Taareef is also winless this season from two starts and connections will be hoping he can put a disappointing run in the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan behind him on his return to Maison-Laffitte's straight mile.

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