Sunday's G2 Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte features the G2 Norfolk S. winner Prince of Lir (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who sets a clear standard on the form of that five-furlong test at Royal Ascot June 16. The runner-up The Last Lion (Ire) (Choisir {Aus}), who he had also beaten on his debut at Beverley May 28, has since scored at listed level while the fourth, Peace Envoy (Fr) (Power {GB}), won the G3 Anglesey S., and a reproduction of that performance should be enough to account for his opposition.
“Since Ascot he's been really fresh and well; he's in good order so it's all systems go,” trainer Robert Cowell said of Prince of Lir. “We've proved we're fairly useful ourselves, now it's up to the others to prove it. I think he'll stay six when he has to, but this is only 100 metres further than Ascot and, if anything, he was the one finishing strongest there. What I really like about him is that in both his races he has just kept on finding, and that's a great trait to have.”
France's hopes rest with the fillies Al Johrah (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) and Cosachope (Fr) (Soave {Ger}), who are closely matched on domestic form. The former was seven-lengths second to Lady Aurelia (Scat Daddy) in Royal Ascot's G2 Queen Mary S. June 15, while Cosachope captured Deauville's G3 Prix du Bois over five furlongs July 2.
Clive Cox won this four years ago with Reckless Abandon (GB) (Exchange Rate) and sends across the impressive Windsor maiden scorer Tis Marvellous (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}). Successful by eight lengths in that six-furlong contest July 11, he will be tested here. “He fairly hacked up at Windsor and looks above average. This is a big step up in class, but we are confident he is progressing. We've won this race before with Reckless Abandon and while this is a drop back in trip slightly, he's all speed. On his dam side, he is related to a Queen Mary winner and with the pace he showed at Windsor I'm not bothered about five and a half furlongs.”
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