Known Territories

Sunday's G1 Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly features two leading home-trained milers in Full Mast (Mizzen Mast) and Territories (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and a pair of high-profile British raiders in Dutch Connection (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) and Kodi Bear (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), all of whom are closely matched on ratings having already made their mark at this level. The former was the beneficiary of the demotion of Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp in October, being awarded that prize by the stewards, and he submitted a respectable return effort when second in the G3 Prix Paul de Moussac over this track and trip June 6. Just a short neck behind Almanaar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) attempting to give that subsequent G3 Prix Daphnis winner seven pounds, Khalid Abdullah's homebred is otherwise unbeaten and still potentially a star in the firmament. Godolphin's Territories was second to Gleneagles in the G1 2000 Guineas when last seen at Newmarket May 2, which suggests he has improved since previously finishing third before being upped to second behind Full Mast in the Lagardere on Arc day. Godolphin's Lisa-Jane Graffard commented, “Territories is in great form. He has overcome the stone bruise that ruled him out of Royal Ascot, which was nothing serious. He has got everything in his favor and should run well.”

Susan Roy and Cheveley Park Stud's Dutch Connection, who was another to finish behind Gleneagles when third in the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National S. on his juvenile finale at The Curragh in September, was seventh in the 2000 Guineas before taking the seven-furlong G3 Jersey S. at Royal Ascot June 17. “The owners were very keen to go and I wasn't going to hold them back,” trainer Charlie Hills said. “I'm very happy with the horse, he's done everything right since Ascot and there was no reason not to run him. He has to prove he gets the mile, but if you're going to try it anywhere this is the place to do it. Territories looks the one to beat, but hopefully it's a good opportunity.”

Olive Shaw's Kodi Bear was second in the G1 Dewhurst S. at Newmarket in October and returned to win Windsor's Listed Midsummer S. June 27, earning a tilt at this prize. “Windsor went perfectly to plan; we couldn't have wished for any more, really,” conditioner Clive Cox commented. “The signs have been positive at home since then and I'm happy he's going there in good form. This is obviously a step back up to a higher division, but his 2-year-old form suggests he belongs there.”