Dunlop targets more international riches with Red Verdon in Maurice de Nieuil

3.25 Longchamp
Prix Maurice de Nieuil (Group 2) | 1m6f, 4yo+ | Sky

Admirable stayer Red Verdon is on his travels once again with the seven-year-old among a select but quality four-runner field for Longchamp's Prix Maurice de Nieuil on Tuesday.

The Ed Dunlop-trained Red Verdon has taken connections to Hong Kong and Australia and is back in France for the first time since finishing second in the Grand Prix de Paris in 2016.

Red Verdon won the Listed Betway Grand Cup at Doncaster last time and connections are optimistic he can maintain his best form now back in Group 2 company.

Dunlop said: "It's a good five-runner race but we're really pleased with the old boy. He's stepping back up in class but it's an open sort of race.

"He's in good form and won well the last day. This looks an interesting opportunity."

Among Red Verdon's rivals is last season's Prix du Cadran winner Holdthasigreen and San Huberto, a Group 2 winner in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Chantilly last month.

There are two British-trained representatives in the Group 2 Prix de Malleret as the David Simcock-trained Oriental Mystique and Ralph Beckett-trained Trefoil (1.35) feature in the five-runner field, while recent Newmarket Listed winner Volkan Star (1.00) runs for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin in the Group 3 Prix du Lys.

Appleby said: “Volkan Star has some very solid form around him now and came out of the Fairway Stakes well. He has galloped all the way to the line on both his starts this season and the step up to a mile and a half shouldn’t be a problem. A repeat of his last run should make him hard to beat.”

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