Round two: Polydream and James Garfield clash again in Foret
5.00 Longchamp
Qatar Prix de la Foret | 7f | Group 1 | 3yo+ | ATR
There is only one European Group 1 all-aged race over seven furlongs. There is also only one over six and a half furlongs. Polydream just edged out James Garfield in that one and now seeks to do the same over the extra half-furlong.
Polydream dominates the betting for their Foret rematch, but there was precious little between the two horses in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville in August, giving the James Garfield connections justifiable hope of gaining revenge.
"She is a very good filly but she'll need a bit of luck with so many runners," said Polydream's trainer Freddy Head, whose filly has landed stall three, close to the inside running rail. Much wider in box 11 is James Garfield, most recently last at Haydock but now reunited with Frankie Dettori.
"He is drawn wide enough but not so wide that it's detrimental to his chance," said trainer George Scott.
"Frankie is adamant the horse doesn't need cover so I think he'll go forward and sit one or two wide before slotting in – and Frankie has shown before now that he's rather good at doing that at Longchamp.
"You can put a line through his run at Haydock – that was his first run on heavy ground – and since then he has been training really nicely.
"Seven furlongs at Longchamp should suit him and having Frankie back on board is a huge plus. He was only beaten half a length by Polydream at Deauville but that isn't reflected in their prices this time. We're optimistic of a really good run."
Sir seeks to show he's a star over seven
Seven furlongs might be an in-between distance but it has been an extremely productive one for Sir Dancealot, who has this year mopped up the Criterion, Lennox and Hungerford Stakes.
On a below-par effort in the 32Red Sprint Cup, Elsworth added: "I don't think it was the trip that beat us at Haydock. It's much more that the ground was awful. We're hoping for a return to form and we're going to Longchamp with optimism and enthusiasm."
What they say
Charlie Hills, trainer of Dutch Connection
He wants quick ground, but it's meant to rain, so it might be quite loose. I was happy with his run at Doncaster and seven furlongs has always seemed to be his trip.
Andre Fabre, trainer of Inns Of Court and Jimmy Two Times
Inns Of Court ran a very good trial in the Prix du Pin when carrying a penalty from an outside draw. The competition is tougher here but he's a classy horse on his day. Jimmy Two Times has had a good break since his last race in July. He ran well in this race as a three-year-old and has been remarkably consistent.
Roger Fell, trainer of Burnt Sugar
Any rain would help. It doesn't look that hot for a Group 1 but if we could finish in the first four I'll be ecstatic.
David O'Meara, trainer of So Beloved
He was second in the race last year but this time has a bad draw. From a wide draw you either have to use a lot of gas early to get a position or check back. He is a big outsider, but while he can sometimes run an average race in lesser company he can also up his game in better races.
Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Gustav Klimt
We were delighted with his run over six furlongs at Haydock and think going up a furlong in trip should suit him well. If there is cut in the ground it won't be a problem.
William Haggas, trainer of One Master
We're drawn on the outside again and her chance will only be as an each-way play if it rains hard.
Mauricio Delcher Sanchez, trainer of Coeur De Beaute
She has been unlucky to have fast ground through the course of the season when she was in top form. She is in good form, so we'll try one more time in the hope we can snatch a place. Any rain would help.
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