Beaten G1 French 2000 Guineas favourite National Defense (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is back in training after a setback. Strongly fancied for the Classic at Deauville, the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner failed to beat a rival home. Criquette Head-Maarek had hoped to run him in the G1 Prix Jean Prat, but he picked up an injury when being prepared for that race and he now faces a race against time to make it to any of Deauville's summer races.
“He's back in training, but I'm not sure what we'll do,” she said. “I think Deauville might come too soon for him. He picked up a knee problem, he actually twisted a knee but he's fine now. If he doesn't make Deauville he'll be fine to run in September.”
She added, “We know he's very good so it's very frustrating not being able to run him. I'm inclined to stay at a mile with him, but he'll certainly have an entry in the [G1 Qatar Prix De La] Foret [on Oct. 1]. The fact the Foret is at Chantilly again and Longchamp would suit him. Hopefully we might get him back for the [G1] Prix du Moulin [on Sept. 10] before that.”
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