A Solid Karaktar

Chantilly’s G1 Prix du Jockey Club has been the property of His Highness The Aga Khan on six occasions since 1979, and it could be a case of seven up in Sunday’s edition with the likely favorite Karaktar (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) charged with sporting the emerald green. Mastering testing conditions when annexing the Mar. 28 Listed Prix Francois Mathet over this trip at Saint-Cloud, the homebred was equally at home on a fast surface when following up in the G3 Prix Noailles–also at this unique distance –at Longchamp last time Apr. 20. “He’s climbed up the ladder, his form is good and he’s improved since last year,” commented Georges Rimaud, the French stud and racing manager to his owner-breeder. “He seems to be pretty efficient at the distance, so it will be interesting to see how he goes against better competition and in a bigger field. He’s in good form and has done everything he’s been asked to do up until now.” 

One of the least-known quantities in opposition is Hspirit’s Silverwave (Fr) (Silver Frost {Ire}), who put the previously unbeaten Epicuris (GB) (Rail Link {GB}) to the sword in the G3 Prix la Force at Longchamp Apr. 6 and he has Classic pedigree, being by the 2009 G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains winner and a half-brother to Stormy River (Fr) (Verglas {Ire}), who was placed in that contest. Joseph Allen’s War Dispatch (War Front) is on a roll, with his last five outings resulting in successes and culminating in the G3 Prix de Guiche over nine furlongs here May 8. “He has been doing very well, no problem at all,” said trainer Jean-Claude Rouget. “We have no form lines with the favorites, but I think he can be competitive and run a good race. He always does the minimum and is never impressive. He has been winning every time, but in lesser company. This is the target and I think he is arriving in good shape for it.” 

Intriguingly, Joseph O’Brien is back on the May 10 G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains sixth Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), with Ryan Moore partnering Cape Clear Island (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) as Aidan O’Brien looks for a first renewal. The latter was second to Ampere (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}) in Longchamp’s G2 Prix Hocquart over 11 furlongs May 10 and is fitted with blinkers for the first time. One of the lesser-exposed types is Muteb bin Abdullah’s Mostaneer (Ire)(Dutch Art {GB}), who booked his ticket with a game win in the Listed Prix de Suresnes over nine furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte Apr. 17.