'We'll find out if we can continue to dream big' - King George hero Goliath bids to get back on track

Goliath makes just his second start in Europe since putting the continent's best middle-distance horses to the sword in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, with trainer Francis Graffard seeking a confidence-booster in the Group 3 La Coupe (3.25) at Longchamp following a below-par effort in Hong Kong at the end of April. 

A combination of the long-distance travel and the febrile atmosphere down at the start counted against the five-year-old gelded son of Adlerflug before the QEII Cup and last November's Japan Cup.

"Physically he's come out of his latest trip well and I’m happy with his condition," said Graffard. "Mentally I think he needs to be back on a European racecourse and to regain a bit of self-confidence. 

"I need to take him back to the races at this slightly lower level and it will tell us a lot about where we go next. Will he need another run in a smaller race to help boost his morale, or if everything goes well can we continue to dream big with him?"

Of course not all Group 3s are created equal and Goliath faces another top-level performer in eight-year-old Iresine, who finished eighth in a slowly run Hong Kong Cup last December but showed he retains all his old enthusiasm when motoring home in under 34 seconds for the final three furlongs at Lyon-Parilly last month. 

Trainer Jean-Pierre Gauvin said: "We seem to have got him back in good order after his winter break and he made a good comeback at Lyon. It wasn’t an exceptional field he beat but the ground was much quicker than is ideal for him. 

"He’s come out of it well and I’m delighted with his preparation, while the ground should be a bonus for him."

The other Pattern action on the Longchamp card comes in the shape of the Prix Paul de Moussac (2.50), a key trial for next month's Group 1 Prix Jean Prat. 

Polyvega tries seven furlongs for the first time in the Group 3 Prix Paul de MoussacCredit: Racing Post/Burton

Maranoa Charlie and Silius – the first and second from the Prix Djebel back in April – reoppose, while the latter's stablemate Polyvega bids to show she can be a force over seven furlongs. 

Ed Walker had the choice of the Listed Agnes Keyser Stakes at Goodwood and the Prix Volterra (1.33) for two of his more talented three-year-old fillies, and it is Troia who makes the trip to Paris, while Miss Tonnerre stays closer to home. 

"Troia ran a huge race in the Michael Seely and looks well up to winning a Listed prize," said Walker. 

There is further British interest in the Listed Prix Melisande (12.58), for which William Knight has engaged the services of Mickael Barzalona aboard Bintabuha. She finished nine lengths adrift of both Qilin Queen and Revoir at Newbury last time, and that pair finished eighth and sixth respectively in the Oaks on Friday.

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