British quintet out to dent Persian King's reputation in Prix d'Ispahan

3.25 Chantilly
Prix d'Ispahan (Group 1) | 1m1f | 3yo+ | SSR

One of the main things to note about this year's Prix d'Ispahan is the change in conditions. It is normally run in late May at Longchamp although, like the Arc, was staged at Chantilly in 2016 and 2017. That it is nearly two months late this year comes with another knock-on effect. For the first time in more than 30 years, it is open to three-year-olds.

Only one such horse has been sent to try this year. Positive only got started for the year at Royal Ascot, finishing fourth to Palace Pier in the St James's Palace, but he looked like being a leading juvenile last summer and, while there is quite a bit of speed in his pedigree, his dam's best form came over 1m4f.

Like four more of the eight runners, Positive is British-trained. Roseman even represents last year's winning connections, those of Zabeel Prince. He improved last autumn and was fourth in the Queen Anne last time, while recent improvement also crops up in the cases of Pogo and Century Dream. Only seven-year-old Stormy Antarctic, a long-time wanderer, could be confidently said to have fully shown his hand.

Century Dream: impressive winner of the Diomed StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

The market still says that the home team are likeliest to take the prize, with Persian King the warm favourite. He won last year's Poulains, then found only Sottsass too strong in the Jockey Club, which was his best effort on Racing Post Ratings. He has built up to form in two runs this year, grinding it out after making his own running over a mile last time, and the return to further should not be an issue.

Shaman is likely to make the running this time. He did just that when winning the Prix d'Harcourt in May and when finishing third in the Ganay. It is possible the slightly longer trip contributed last time, but it was not the full story and it is just as likely his Harcourt run, which was on resumption day, gave him a touch more credit than he is due.
Analysis by betting editor Keith Melrose

Persian King running himself back to form

The Prix d'Ispahan has been the long-term goal for Persian King since returning from an injury-enforced layoff in June.

The imposing son of Kingman was on the burly side when chasing home stable companion Magny Cours in a Chantilly Listed race over a mile and was given a serious workout by Pierre-Charles Boudot when making all to win the Group 2 Prix du Muguet over a mile.

Trainer Andre Fabre may have been working on Persian King's mental preparedness as much as his physical shape when taking him to Chantilly racecourse for his final breeze on Tuesday.

"He's had his two runs back and we're all happy with him," said Anthony Stroud, racing advisor to the Wildenstein family, who share ownership of Persian King with Godolphin. "He'd been off over a year so every race is a step forward. He's back in a Group 1 with some other very good horses.

"The distance looks fine and while we always seem to get a wide draw, with eight runners it may not make a huge difference. It's not a walk in the park, as you would expect, there are some good horses in there."

Persian King and Pierre-Charles Boudot return after winning the Prix du Muguet at Saint-CloudCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

Persian King heads the ratings according to the French handicapper, who has the field covered by just 5lb.

What they say

Angus Gold, racing manager to Hamdan Al Maktoum, owner of Motamarris
He had a lot of problems after the Jockey Club and was on the farm at Shadwell for the best part of eight months, so it was important to get him back on the track. To come out and win a Listed race was fantastic. I liked the way he did it and Freddy Head has been happy with him since. It's a step back into the big time but I think he deserves it. He was beaten by two good horses in the Jockey Club having gone a hell of a pace from the start.

Ed Crisford, co-trainer of Century Dream
He’s in great form and hopefully they get a drop of rain which would help. He’s coming out of a Group 3 win and we’re hopeful of a nice run.

Pogo lands the Listed Midsummer Stakes at WindsorCredit: Pool

Charlie Hills, trainer of Pogo
He's a very consistent horse who rarely runs a bad race and is very tough so I wasn't really surprised he backed up so well. He improved a lot in the ratings off the back of Windsor, he has that experience and knows his job now so he looks like he's improving as a four-year-old. He goes on any ground and it looks a tight race.

Ed Walker, trainer of Stormy Antarctic
There’s no doubt he’s better on soft but he’s versatile and there are very few options for him. He seems very well and Windsor was a waste of time. Before that he ran well at Newbury and we’re expecting a big run.

Carlos Laffon-Parias, trainer of Shaman
A mile and a quarter turned out to be a bit too far for him in the Ganay. 1,800 meters [1m1f] looks the right trip for him but the stable is not in great form and a few horses have been sick. That is the uncertainty because in every other respect, he has everything going for him.

Clive Cox, trainer of Positive
He's pleased me since Ascot and I think the extra furlong – going up to nine from a mile – will be helpful with a view to going a mile and a quarter in time. He was very straight and it was a muddling race but I'm not making excuses for him. The first three pulled clear, but our best furlong was our last after being slightly tapped for toe entering the straight off that muddling pace.
Reporting by Scott Burton

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