The Chenes Gang

France’s elite juveniles are beginning to build towards their all-important autumn targets, with today’s G3 Prix des Chenes at Longchamp the first pointer for the G1 Criterium International, and as usual it is to Andre Fabre that all refer as the record-holding trainer looks for an eighth edition. Of his pair, Rashit Shaykhutdinov’s De Treville (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) has yet to disappoint, and the 850,000gns son of the high-class Dar Re Mi (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}) will remain exciting until his fortunes dip. With just a seven-furlong maiden win to his name at Chantilly July 17, he has a lot to prove but has the pedigree to hit the heights and is in the right hands to be guided in that direction. Interestingly, the rival that De Treville had back in second last time was beaten out of sight by Jean-Claude Seroul’s Evasive’s First (Fr) (Evasive {GB}) in the Listed Prix des Jouvenceaux des Jouvencelles over seven furlongs at Vichy Aug. 2, and he sets a marginal standard. Guy Pariente’s July 13 Listed Prix Roland de Chambure winner Kenfreeze (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) represents the form of this track’s G3 Prix la Rochette, having been fifth behind Full Mast (Mizzen Mast) in that Sept. 7 highlight, while His Highness The Aga Khan’s Cherek (Fr) (Paco Boy {Ire}) is open to improvement after his Deauville maiden score Aug. 30.