Maurice de Nieuil Preview: Check on the Vicomtesse Vigier

Run on June 14th over 1m7f at Chantilly, the Vicomtesse Vigier (Gr2) allowed most good French stayers to compete. Three of them, including the winner San Huberto (Speightstown), are again at the start here over 1m6f in the Maurice de Nieuil (Gr2). A single raider from England will try to put the French trio in check since the two representatives of Godolphin were finally withdrawn.

• 1. SAN HUBERTO (c4, IRE by Speightstown and Sediciosa, by Rail Link) Rating: 101lbs

Trained at Chantilly, bought for € 70,000 as a yearling at the Deauville sales, San Huberto has just won the Vicomtesse Vigier (Gr2) by taking over early in the last straight to hold off every finisher. Winner of the Coupe des 3ans (L) last year at Lyon-Parilly, then of the Michel Houyvet (L) over 1m6f at Deauville, he went on to take third place in the Belmont Derby in the USA before failing at the end of the year at ParisLongchamp in the Qatar Prix Chaudenay (Gr2) on a very soft ground.

Fifth for his return at Lyon, he, therefore, went better to win his first Group 2 and here tries to double the bet.

• 2. RED VERDON (g7, USA by Lemon Drop Kid and Porto Marmay, by Choose) Rating: 109lbs

Trained in England, sixth in the 2016 Epsom Derby, second in the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (Gr1) afterwards, he became a regular feature in the classic distance and extended trips and quickly succeeded but was gelded at the end of 2018. Winner of two races the following season, that is last year, including a Group 3 over this distance at York in July, he finished fourth out of four for his return at Chelmsford City on the all-weather but immediately won a Listed race over 2,900m at Doncaster.

• 3. CALLED TO THE BAR (g6, IRE by Henrythenavigator and Perfect Hedge, by Unfuwain) Rating: 109lbs

Trained in Chantilly, he has already won six races including the Vicomtesse Vigier (Gr2) last year by easily beating Way to Paris and Call the Wind, both Group 1 winners since. Also winner of the Gladiateur (Gr3) in September, he then failed in Hong Kong and Riyadh but he finished like a train in the Vicomtesse Vigier last time out, when fourth after having struggled to find the way out of the field.

• 4. HOLDTHASIGREEN (g8, FRA by Hold That Tiger and Greentathir, by Muhtathir) Rating: 111lbs

Trained in the Sarthe, this veteran of French staying contests races has completed two great seasons in 2018 and 2019, culminating in a victory in the 2018 Royal-Oak (Gr1) and the 2019 Cadran (Gr1). A good 2nd of the Barbeville (Gr3) near Call the Wind for his return this season, he has, however, completely failed in the Vicomtesse Vigier.

• 5. MOONLIGHT SPIRIT (g4, IRE by Dubawi and Moonsail, by Monsun)

(non runner)

• 6. SECRET ADVISOR (g6, FRA by Dubawi and Sub Rose, by Galileo)

(non runner)