Eighteen Gather for Poulains Test

There were no notable withdrawals from Sunday's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp, which attracted its usual large field as the draw was made Friday. Leading candidates Make Believe (GB) (Makfi {GB}) and Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) received favorable berths in four and seven respectively, with the other main protagonists Karar (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Muhaarar (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) done less favors in 13 and 18. The former, who sports the Al Shaqab silks and was supplemented this week, came off a six-length debut score against a smart yardstick at Saint-Cloud Mar. 19 to run second to the subsequent G1 2000 Guineas runner-up Territories (Ire)(Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in the course-and-distance prep, the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau Apr. 12. On that occasion, he had The Commissioner (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) two lengths back in third and trainer Francis-Henri Graffard is hoping for a bold show. “In his first two races, he didn't have a choice other than to go to the front but we have galloped him to switch off behind and get cover,” he explained. “He has strengthened a lot and I have to be pleased. He has a very good chance of being in the frame. He got a surprise when Territories came in the middle of the track and it was only his second start.” Graffard also saddles Pearl Bloodstock's Cornwallville (Ire) (Makfi {GB}), the Listed Criterium du Languedoc and Listed Prix Aymeri du Mauleon winner who is in 15 and racing manager David Redvers told PA Sport, “He was claimed last year and he has already been a fantastic investment. He has won his last two starts at listed level, so is battle-hardened and in top form. He's in flying form, so why not have a go? It would be a nice surprise if he puts in a bold show.” Muhaarar's trainer Charlie Hills was ill at ease after learning of the G3 Greenham S. winner receiving the widest draw, but is pleased that Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's accomplished colt enters the fray in top order. “Obviously we could have fared better with the draw, but we can't do anything about that,” he told PA Sport. “Everything has gone absolutely perfect since the Greenham, I couldn't be happier with the horse. The ground has dried up a bit since midweek, which is in his favour, but he'll have to be very good to overcome the draw.”