Sottsass seeks to bounce back in Ganay as rival's trainer admits virus concern

1.35 Chantilly
Prix Ganay (Group 1) | 1m2½f | 4yo+ | SKY

Sottsass, officially the world's best three-year-old last season, returns to the scene of his greatest triumph needing to execute a major reversal of recent form if he is to post the second Group 1 victory of his career.

It was at Chantilly 12 months ago that the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained Sottsass landed the Prix du Jockey Club. He now returns to the track for a Prix Ganay that has been rerouted from its usual Longchamp home.

On his first start since taking third in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Sottsass managed only fourth in the Prix d'Harcourt five weeks ago. Shaman, Way To Paris and Simona, who finished first, second and third on that occasion, all reoppose, while Shaman's trainer, Carlos Laffon-Parias, also saddles Palomba, like her stable companion a member of the Wertheimer brothers' squad.

Sottsass' rider Cristian Demuro said: "First time out this season he wasn't ready and needed the race. He doesn't show much in the mornings but he looks to have improved. I hope we find the same horse we saw in the Arc."

Shaman is set to start second favourite behind Sottsass, but Laffon-Parias goes into the contest with a major concern.

"A lot of the horses in my yard have a virus," he said. "There's no coughing and no fever but they were running very badly, so we have had no runners for a few days now.

"Everything seems okay with Shaman and I'm very happy with the way he has been working, but obviously I'm a bit afraid. I'm also sure Sottsass will be tough to beat. He should have improved for his last run, when he was maybe a bit fat.

"Palomba is there to run on her own merit but she will need the race. She's a mile-and-a-half filly but there are no suitable races for her until Deauville."

Rouget and Demuro later team up with the unbeaten Tawkeel, one of seven runners in the card's second Group 1, the Saxon Warrior Coolmore Prix Saint Alary.

New subscribers can get 3 months of Members' Club Ultimate subscription for just £10 with promo code RACINGISBACK. Get exclusive tipping, unlimited video replays, exclusive interview and much more. For more information click here