Pride Of Britain

So impressive on his first try at seven furlongs in the G2 Park S. at Doncaster Sept. 12, Paul Jacobs’ Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}) looks to light up the post-Arc section of Longchamp’s Sunday card and register an overdue first top-level success in the G1 Qatar Prix de la Foret. Unable to maintain his juvenile dominance over six this term, the bay bounced back from defeats when second in the G2 Sandy Lane S. at Haydock May 30 and in Royal Ascot’s G1 Commonwealth Cup June 19 with a scintillating display at the St Leger meeting. With his favored good ground negating the misfortune of acquiring a wide draw, he is poised to strike for the enthusiastic British contingent that appears in its hordes at this meeting every year. “He seems well. I’m happy with him and it’s looking hopeful with the ground, so fingers crossed,” trainer Henry Candy said.

Two leading French hopes Make Believe (GB) (Makfi {GB}) and Taniyar (Ire) (Shamardal) have fared better with the draw in two and three respectively, with the former coming in off a long break having finished last of five in the G1 St James’s Palace S. at Royal Ascot June 16. Previously, Prince Faisal’s bay had captured the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains by making all over a mile here May 10 and that track experience will be a major benefit in this often-tactical affair. “Maybe he just put a great deal into the French Guineas–that race can take more out of some horses than others,” the owner’s racing manager Ted Voute mused. “He’s back in really good form now, though, and Andre [Fabre] is confident he is in perfect shape for the Foret. It wasn’t lightning fast [ground] in the French Guineas, so I imagine it wouldn’t be too dissimilar at the weekend. I wouldn’t have any issues about the ground.”

His Highness The Aga Khan’s Taniyar showed his prowess over this course and distance when annexing the Sept. 6 G3 Prix du Pin, where the re-opposing La Berma (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}) and Ride Like the Wind (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) were back in second and third respectively. The latter had beaten Make Believe in the G3 Prix Djebel over this trip at Maisons-Laffitte Apr. 2 and was running with a subsequent penalty last time. “He had a hard spring, but was very unlucky last time and I think he has a good chance,” trainer Freddy Head commented. “He’s not an easy horse to ride, as he is keen but when he has his race he takes a lot of beating.” Toormore (Ire) (Arakan) flies the flag for Godolphin and comes here on the back of a win in the G2 Topkapi Trophy at Veliefendi Sept. 6, having already annexed the G2 Lennox S. at Goodwood July 28 and finished runner-up in the G1 Lockinge S. at Newbury May 16. Trainer Richard Hannon said, “He’s in great form and has done really well this season. I think seven furlongs on that track could be a good trip for him.”