Special Agent

Trying black-type company for the first time in Ascot’s Listed Buckhounds S., Agent Murphy (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) proved more than worthy of a tilt at Sunday’s G2 Grand Prix de Chantilly with an authoritative success. Having only his fifth start in that May 9 12-furlong contest, he was professional and straightforward as well as stylish and will put it up to the home defense here. That defense is led by last year’s winner Spiritjim (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}), who reverts to middle distances after a failed attempt at a marathon trip in Longchamp’s G3 Prix de Barbeville last time May 3. Never a factor when sixth on that seasonal bow, the 5-year-old has questions to answer along with Godolphin’s Manatee (GB) (Monsun {Ger}), who was disappointing when fourth on his comeback in the G3 Prix d’Hedouville over 12 furlongs at Loncghamp last time May 6. Last year’s G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris winner is worth keeping the faith with, especially as he is Andre Fabre’s sole representative in a race in which he holds the record of eight winners. 

“Manatee has come on well since his first run of the season, which was a respectable performance considering he was carrying a penalty and the ground was very soft,” Godolphin’s Lisa-Jane Graffard commented. “We are expecting him to show some improvement and good ground should be fine.”