3.40 Deauville - True Love headlines strong field of 12 in Prix Maurice de Gheest
Today's feature on Sky Sports Racing takes us to Deauville, where True Love headlines this afternoon's Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest.
The 1000 Guineas winner was narrowly touched off at the track in last month's Prix Jean Prat over a mile, with Jersey Stakes winner Thesecretadversary taking out the honours that day. Having won the Cheveley Park Stakes over this distance in September, she clearly has sufficient speed for this test and her versatility will be invaluable in her future career as a broodmare. Wayne Lordan makes the trip to France for the ride, replacing Ryan Moore in the plate.
Stolen Kiss has rapidly improved this year since being dropped back into sprinting trips. The clear improvement also has seen this colt beat last year's winner, Sajir, on back-to-back occasions as well as finishing a very close fourth in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. That is probably the best piece of form in the race and although he has to give weight to True Love, he could put it up to her under Alexis Pouchin.
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Fresh from a successful Goodwood Festival, Wathnan Racing will be keen to strike again - this time with William Haggas' Division. This son of Kingman has hit the crossbar a few times this year, finishing second in the Sandy Lane Stakes and then third in the Commonwealth Cup - beaten both times by Venetian Sun. He was a commendable fifth in the July Cup and could easily pop up and win this.
Samangan isn't dismissed but will have to show more after being beaten last time out by Division and True Love in successive starts, albeit by narrow margins. Take Charge Star represents Johnny Murtagh and enters calculations, having only been beaten by True Love's conqueror Thesecretadversary by a neck in the aforementioned Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.
3.05 Deauville - 2000 Guineas third Distant Storm returns
Distant Storm returns to the track after not being seen since May in the Group 3 Prix Daphnis from Deuaville.
Charlie Appleby is bang in form and sends this son of Night Of Thunder to France in search of a first win since September. In the meantime, he was third in a Dewhurst and began this campaign with a third place finish in the 2000 Guineas. The form of the race has worked out well with fifth place Thesecretadversary taking out the Jersey Stakes and Venetian Prince winning the Italian Derby. The mount of Billy Loughnane today closed the gap on Gstaad in the Irish 2000 Guineas and could progress further in the Godolphin blue.
Komorebi was second in the French 2000 Guineas but subsequently disappointed when stepping up in trip for the Prix du Jockey Club, where he finished 10th. Dropping back to the mile looks to be the way to go and if he repeats his performance when last seen over that distance, he's a big contender.
Campacite was beaten one place into 11th by Komorebi in the French Derby after also chasing him home in April. However, the form with Hawk Mountain on his penultimate start is interesting and a repeat of that would make him a player.
Lord Clover lacked the turn of foot to mount a meaningful challenge in the German 2000 Guineas the last day, but on his prior French form could trouble the judge.
5.01 Chepstow - Crimson Road bids to follow up course and distance success
Crimson Road rounds off the card on Sunday afternoon at Chepstow, looking to follow up the win over course and distance here last month in the Capital Windscreens Supports Chepstow Centenary Celebrations Handicap.
On his fourth start for John and Rhys Flint, he skipped clear inside the final furlong and has been raised 3lb for that success but could easily go in again here.
Pride Of Nepal disappointed last time out at Epsom but was bang in form prior, winning four in a row - including a course and distance success here in June which completed the hat-trick. Carrying top weight today, this Tony Carroll gelding will surely put it up to Crimson Road.
