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Seventeen declared for French Derby as Mendizabal takes ride on Mishriff

Heffernan resumes Peaceful link in French Oaks

Mishriff (David Egan) wins the Betfair Exchange Free Bet Streak Newmarket Stakes (Listed Race)Newmarket 6.6.20 Pic: Edward Whitaker
Mishriff will be ridden by Ioritz Mendizabal in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly on SundayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Ioritz Mendizabal has been entrusted with the ride on the John Gosden-trained Mishriff in Sunday's Prix du Jockey Club, as ongoing issues with the requirement to quarantine for 14 days when returning to Britain ruled out David Egan from a first ride in the French Classic.

Mishriff's Newmarket Stakes-winning form was boosted at the weekend by the Listed success of runner-up Volkan Star, while a draw in stall three was another kindly bounce of the ball for the homebred son of Make Believe.

Prince Faisal's racing and breeding adviser Ted Voute said on Friday morning: "We had hoped for an announcement [from the government] about the quarantine but John [Gosden] said we needed to be professional about it. While it's hard on David Egan, who we retain, Ioritz has ridden for the yard before and knows Chantilly.

"Frankie Dettori says you need to be in the right rhythm at Chantilly and it's not a straightforward track if you've not ridden it a lot."

Mishriff is a general 7-1 shot and will have two of his main rivals close by as the Andre Fabre-trained favourite Victor Ludorum will break from stall one and the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained Port Guillaume from four.

Ioritz Mendizabal aims for a second success in the Prix du Jockey Club on Sunday when riding Mishriff
Ioritz Mendizabal aims for a second success in the Prix du Jockey Club on Sunday when riding MishriffCredit: Patrick McCann

Mendizabal won the Jockey Club in 2008 when guiding Vision D'Etat to a head victory over Famous Name.

Voute added: "Mishriff deserves to be there, though whether he's good enough to beat Andre's French Guineas winner [Victor Ludorum], I have no idea. There aren't many form lines so we don't really know how good the French colts are.

"The Prince still owns a third of Make Believe and was mad keen to run here rather than at Royal Ascot."

Further British interest among the 17 declared is provided by Celtic Art, who is drawn in 15 for Paul and Oliver Cole, while the Aidan O'Brien-trained pair, Order Of Australia and Fort Myers, are housed in seven and 17 respectively.

Heffernan heads over on Peaceful mission

Seamie Heffernan was on board for Peaceful's highly professional success in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas and will travel over from Ireland to keep the partnership intact for the French version of the Oaks, the Prix de Diane Longines.

Peaceful: on her way to winning the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas under Seamie Heffernan
Peaceful: on her way to winning the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas under Seamie HeffernanCredit: Patrick McCann

Ireland's success in the Diane runs to a single win, courtesy of the Seamus McGrath-trained Sweet Mimosa in 1970.

But there is no lack of depth or talent in the challenge this year, with Peaceful joined by Coronation Stakes winner Alpine Star for Jessica Harrington and the Donnacha O'Brien filly Fancy Blue, who will be ridden by Pierre-Charles Boudot.

Rouget did not declare Prix Saint-Alary winner Tawkeel on Friday, relying instead on Hamdan Al Maktoum's other unbeaten filly Raabihah, as well as Vadsena for the Aga Khan.

In a bid to extend his record of seven wins in the Diane, the prince is also represented by Ebaiyra, who would be a first winner in the race for Olivier Peslier.

Prix du Jockey Club
Paddy Power:
2 Victor Ludorum, 4 Ocean Atlantique, 11-2 Pao Alto, 7 Mishriff, 12 Port Guillaume, 16 Ecrivain, 20 Hurricane Dream, Order Of Australia, San Fabrizio, Fort Myers, 25 bar

Prix de Diane
William Hill:
5-2 Alpine Star, 100-30 Raabihah, 4 Peaceful, 9 Fancy Blue, 11 Speak Of The Devil, 12 Miss Extra, 16 Ebaiyra, Solsticia, 25 bar


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Scott BurtonFrance correspondent

Published on 2 July 2020inInternational

Last updated 19:52, 2 July 2020

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