Muguet Preview: Persian King under pressure

They are only five to start in this Prix du Muguet (Gr2), moved from May 1st to the end of June to serve as a prep race en route to the Prix d’Ispahan (Gr1), in three weeks time, but the cast is pretty colourful. A winning return is expected from Persian King (Kingman), who was rather disappointing for his comeback when 2nd in a Listed event, but the well-seasoned Skalleti (Kendargent), the up and coming Pretreville (Acclamation), the incredible We Ride The World (Orpen) and the mysterious Suphala (Frankel) will not leave him much room to act!

• 1. SKALLETI (g5, FRA by Kendargent ex Skallet, by Muhaymin) Rating: 110lbs

Unbeaten since March 2019, he had won seven races since then over 1 to 1/4 mile and won two Group 2s in succession lately in France and Italy before an annual spell. Back after six months out and with a 4lbs penalty, he ran very well in third in the Prix Bertrand du Breuil (Gr3) and will try to resume his winning ways.

• 2. PRETREVILLE (h5, FRA by Acclamation ex Pegase Hurry, by Fusaichi Pegasus) Rating: 115lbs

Out since winning the Prix du Point du Jour - Haras de Bouquetot (L) at Craon in September, he was moved for his previous yard and was, therefore, starting for his new connection last time out in the Prix Bertrand du Breuil (Gr3), which he won in fine style, running away to score by 3,5 lengths despite facing the best milers around for the first time.

• 3. PERSIAN KING (c4, IRE by Kingman ex Pretty Please, by Dylan Thomas) Rating: 112lbs

Regarded as one of the most promising 2-year-olds in Europe after winning a Group 2 in Newmarket, he won at three the Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3) and the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas, Gr1). Second to Sottsass over 10.5 furlongs in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Gr1), he did not race again for a year and has just made a disappointing comeback, when 2nd in the Prix de Montretout (L) over the mile. He needs to be better than that.

• 4. WE RIDE THE WORLD (g5, IRE by Orpen ex Meulles, by Scat Daddy) Rating: 107lbs

He came out of the handicappers' ranks after five wins, on all-weather and turf alike, since October 2019. His rating has been raised by almost 45lbs since he arrived in Cédric Rossi's yard near Marseilles. He has just won his latest handicap after three months out and thus tries his luck for the first time in a Group race.

• 5. SUPHALA (f4, FRA by Frankel ex Sefroua by Kingmambo) Rating: 109lbs

Promising at 2, second in the Prix Imprudence (Gr3) for her comeback and well beaten after that in the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas, Gr1), she won soon after twice, over the mile and then over 9 furlongs in the Prix Chloé (Gr2), beating some of her Guineas defeaters. She looked unhappy in soft ground in the Shadwell Prix de la Nonette (Gr2) over 10 furlongs in August, and she did not run since.