John Gosden excited to test Too Darn Hot's speed in Prix Jean Prat

John Gosden is eyeing Sunday's Qatar Prix Jean Prat at Deauville for Too Darn Hot in the belief the conditions of the race will be ideal for last season's champion two-year-old.

Too Darn Hot has struggled for stamina in three outings this season, finishing second in the Dante and Irish 2,000 Guineas before a third-place effort in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot a fortnight ago.

The Prix Jean Prat will be run over seven furlongs for the first time this year – having been staged over a mile since 2005 – and Gosden believes the step back in trip will suit the son of Dubawi, who won the Dewhurst at that distance last season.

Speaking on Sunday, the trainer said: "Too Darn Hot worked very nicely yesterday morning and the plan is to go for the Prix Jean Prat. I think we've been running him beyond his trip. The stiff mile of the Curragh, the stiff mile of Ascot, and an extended mile and a quarter at York.

"I've made it very clear that I think we got it wrong with this horse this year and hopefully the straight seven furlongs will suit him, as I think an easy mile would.

"He's a very fast horse. He's quick and his best races were the Dewhurst and the Champagne Stakes and I think it’s about time we played to his strengths."

Too Darn Hot won the Dewhurst when last racing over 7fCredit: Mark Cranham

Looking further ahead, Gosden pinpointed the Prix Jacques Le Marois on August 11 as another potential French target for Too Darn Hot.

That would mean a return to a mile for Lord Lloyd-Webber's colt, but the Deauville track is much easier in comparison to the Curragh and Ascot. Gosden won the Group 1 event with Kingman in 2014.

Gosden added: "I'd still come over a mile at Deauville. He's basically very quick and Frankie says he's a speed horse. We got it wrong trying to stretch him out and we learnt the hard way.

"He had the race won at Ascot and ran out of stamina. But too much speed is no bad thing."

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