Ghaiyyath goes one step forward

First Group 1 of the French season, and in Europe even, the Prix Ganay (Gr1) takes place on Sunday at ParisLongchamp. The 2018 edition was won on the day of the ParisLongchamp official opening by the British champion Cracksman. It brings together five runners this year, including Ghaiyyath (Galileo), easy winner of the Prix d'Harcourt (Gr2) three weeks ago for his return, and his two followers that day, Soleil Marin (Kendargent) and Intellogent (Intello), winner last year of the Prix Jean Prat (Gr1). To complete this high-profile lot, Study of Man (Deep Impact), winner of the QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1) last year, and Waldgeist (Galileo), winner of the last Grand Prix of Saint-Cloud (Gr1) are also in.

In the Prix Allez France Longines (Gr3), a females race over 10 furlongs, a very consistent field of twelve runners tries to succeed Kitesurf (Dubawi), who won the Longines Prix de l'Opera (Gr1) six months later. The highest ranked in the ratings, Morgan le Faye (Shamardal) won the EBF-funded Prix Zarkava (L) for his return after defeating Shahnaza (Azamour) at the end of last year. Third in the Prix Edmond Blanc (Gr3) for his return, behind The Revenant and Graphite, Lunch Lady (Shamardal) may have improved until then. The British-trained Dramatic Queen (Kitten's Joy), trained by William Haggas, won twice lately, including in a Listed at Lingfield, last November.

The third group race of the day, the Prix de Barbeville (Gr3) is a two-miler. The veteran Holdthasigreen (Hold that Tiger) meets again with his usual rival Called to the Bar (Henrythenavigator), who beat him by a neck in Chantilly for their return. Well beaten for his comeback (sixth) in the Prix d'Harcourt, Nocturnal Fox (Farhh) had not run since the Prix Hocquart Longines (Gr3), almost a year ago, and should have improved too.