More To Come?

With no star miler in attendance at Deauville on Sunday, opportunity knocks for Godolphin’s Toormore (Ire) (Arakan) in the G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois. Back to winning ways in the seven-furlong G2 Lennox S. when last seen at Goodwood July 28, the 2013 G1 National S. hero was gaining his just deserts after a game second in the G1 Lockinge S. at Newbury May 16 and fourth in the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot June 16.

“He could have gone for the Hungerford, but he won his Group 2 last month and we also think the mile will suit him better than seven,” trainer Richard Hannon commented.

The stable also run Toormore’s half-brother Estidhkaar (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who has been absent since disappointing when 14th in the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket May 2. He had previously chased home the subsequent triple Group 1 winner Muhaarar (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in Newbury’s G3 Greenham S. over seven furlongs Apr. 18 and showed how much he appreciates this kind of testing surface when streaking to success in the G2 Superlative S. at Newmarket last July.

“Estidhkaar has had a break since the Guineas, when nothing went right for him,” Hannon commented. “He’ll be more suited to Deauville and the easy ground is also a plus for both of them.”

Godolphin’s Territories (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) would be another 3-year-old with major chances were it not for the rain and the July 12 G1 Prix Jean Prat winner who was also runner-up in the 2000 Guineas may be forced to sit out the encounter if trainer Andre Fabre judges the going to be too soft.

“The going is a concern and on top of that, they are running handicap races on the track before the race, which could ruin the ground,” he said. “I am happy with the horse, but I might make a last-minute decision. He is really a good-ground horse.”

Fabre also saddles last week’s G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest bridesmaid Esoterique (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who scored over this course and distance in the 2014 G1 Prix Rothschild, as well as Haras de Saint Pair’s July 26 Listed Prix Frederic de Lagrange scorer Vadamos (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}).

“She [Esoterique] is fine and has spent the week in Deauville enjoying herself,” their conditioner said. “She has nothing to lose. She has already won at Deauville and has won there over the mile. I would prefer good ground for her, also. Vadamos’ work in the morning would suggest he can be competitive in this category. Work in the morning and races are different, of course, but I am impatient to run him in this kind of race.”

Arguably the race’s most intriguing and important runner is The Niarchos Family’s GI Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Karakontie (Jpn) (Bernstein), but trainer Jonathan Pease faces a tall order readying him to win this on his seasonal bow off a subsequent lay-off.