Can Sosie prove he's the best of his generation and confirm Eclipse bid in a tricky Prix d'Ispahan?

The Prix d'Ispahan presents a devilishly trappy profile for punters, acting as it does as a crossroads for milers and middle-distance specialists over its trip of 1m1½f of Longchamp's Grande Piste. 

It falls four weeks on from the Ganay and is run over just three-quarters of a furlong further, yet from the seven attempts made so far this century, only Cirrus Des Aigles in 2014 has completed the double. 

Sosie will attempt to buck that trend having been supplemented by the Wertheimers and Andre Fabre, and looks likely to appreciate decent ground and a strong pace, for all that he hasn't run over this sort of distance since he was a two-year-old. 

The Ispahan's roll of honour is littered with the names of high-class milers who stretched out on what is a fairly easy track which rolls downhill during its mid-section, and although there may not be a Solow or a Goldikova in the line-up, last season's 1,000 Guineas heroine Elmalka brings a good level of form at the shorter trip.

Elmalka made her return to action over nine furlongs when second in the Dahlia Stakes and although no match for the progressive Cinderella's Dream, appears to retain plenty of enthusiasm. Silvestre de Sousa could be in for a big afternoon at Longchamp as he also rides Dubai Future in the following Group 1 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier.

John and Thady Gosden are one from 11 in French Group 1s since Inspiral's second Jacques le Marois in August 2023, but in Sardinian Warrior, they present an almost completely unexposed candidate who is second only to Sosie on official ratings, despite just a Listed win at Ascot, his first try on turf in five starts. 

Horizon Dore was touched off by a short head in this race 12 months ago but is not the easiest horse to catch right, while Dare To Dream has the talent to get into the shake-up, for all that she would count as a surprise winner on form. 

Sosie could be heading to the Eclipse if all goes well

Sosie confirmed his standing as just about the best of his generation to stay in training when edging out Map Of Stars in the Prix Ganay, a victory over 1m2½f that showed him to have more zip than many might have suspected.

Although he is undoubtedly effective at a mile and a half, as demonstrated by his win in the Grand Prix de Paris and his fourth in the Arc, that victory on his return to action has opened up more avenues for the son of Sea The Stars. 

Pierre-Yves Bureau and Maxime Guyon after Sosie lands the Prix GanayCredit: Racing Post/Burton

The Wertheimers racing manager Pierre-Yves Bureau said: "The way he won the Ganay showed he is competitive at that trip and straight away we thought about taking him to the Eclipse. That meant we needed to find a race in between and there weren't 50 to choose from. 

"This is probably a bit on the short side for him but we know that he has developed into a good four-year-old and I hope he can be there at the finish. He might be beaten by a horse that is better at this trip but I expect him to be competitive." 

What they say

Pauline Chehboub, manager for Gousserie Racing, owner of Horizon Dore
Nothing really went right for Horizon Dore last time but he remains in very good form and we're heading into the Ispahan with confidence. The slight drop back in trip is no issue at all and Cristian Demuro knows him well.

Sardinian Warrior landing the Listed Paradise Stakes at Ascot last monthCredit: Getty Images

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Sardinian Warrior
He was an impressive winner of the Paradise Stakes on his reappearance on trials day at Ascot over the straight mile and this looks a good opportunity before going to Royal Ascot. He should give another good account, although the late supplementation of Sosie gives the race a different dynamic.

Francois Rohaut, trainer of Caramelito
He adores Longchamp and all his most memorable wins have come there. Theo Bachelot and I both believe that this is his best trip, with 2,000 metres a bit too far and 1,600 metres slightly sharp for him, while he's pretty indifferent in terms of ground. He had a long break over the winter and he's come forward plenty for his comeback run. There are are better horses than him in the line-up and it won't be easy.  

Elmalka and Silvestre de Sousa after winning last year's 1,000 GuineasCredit: Edward Whitaker

Roger Varian, trainer of Elmalka
She’s in great form. She took a big step forward between her first and second races last year and we hope it will be the same this time. The Dahlia has definitely sharpened her up. It’s a tough task against the boys, but nine furlongs at Longchamp should suit her.

Gavin Hernon, trainer of Dare To Dream
She wasn't right when we ran in Saint-Cloud and she scoped dirty post-race. I think you can draw a line through that and she's been showing all the right signs over the last two or three weeks. We were considering going to La Coupe but we'd probably be taking on Group 1 horses there and the way this race cut up we thought we might as well take our chance. I feel I have her back to at least as well as she was last year while any rain would be welcome.

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