After making way for stable companion Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) at Newmarket, it is the turn of Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor's Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to occupy the limelight in Sunday's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp. Not sighted since his impressive success in Glorious Goodwood's G2 Vintage S. in late July, the bay who had previously taken a well-contested Gowran Park maiden by 12 lengths, has remained in the notebooks of many and the vibes are strong as he lines up for a below-par renewal of this Classic. O'Brien also saddles the tough and resilient War Envoy (War Front), who was fourth in the G3 Craven S. over this trip at Newmarket last time Apr. 16 and has juvenile form to mix it with these having been beaten around a length when fifth in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on Arc day. “We're very pleased with Highland Reel and have had this race in mind for some time for his first run of the season,” Aidan O'Brien told the Racing Post. “He's got quite a good draw. He showed plenty of ability last year and we're hoping for a good run. If he runs well there will be plenty of options for him. War Envoy has plenty of experience but has never shown on the track the sort of ability he shows at home. We're letting him take his chance and he has a good draw.” Like O'Brien, Andre Fabre is able to spin unlimited improvement from his Classic hopefuls and Prince Faisal's Make Believe (GB) (Makfi {GB}) remains unexposed after his second to Ride Like the Wind (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in the G3 Prix Djebel over seven furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte Apr. 2. “Make Believe did well last year and ran well on his comeback,” Fabre told PA Sport. “He looks good, but you'd have to question the form of the Djebel, with the horse that won only finishing ninth at Newmarket.” Fabre also saddles Khalid Abdullah's New Bay (GB)(Dubawi {Ire}), who upset the Niarchos Family's exciting Tale of Life (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in a conditions event over this track and trip Apr. 20. “New Bay is a nice colt, he won well on his return,” his conditioner added. “I think he'll be better with another two furlongs, but we will see how he does. He's running here with a view to running in the [G1 Prix du] Jockey Club and he's working very well. I think he might just lack the experience to win.” Godolphin are looking for a fourth renewal with Maftool (Hard Spun), who comes here a fresh colt after a lay-off since his second in the G2 UAE Derby over 9 1/2 furlongs at Meydan Mar. 28. Previously the winner of the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas Feb. 12 and last year's seven-furlong G3 Somerville Tattersall S. at Newmarket, he is a versatile performer and that will help him handle this rough-house event. “We decided to miss the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and aim him at this race,” trainer Saeed bin Suroor commented. “He has been working well and I am looking to see a good run from him. Good ground would be ideal, but he should be fine on good-to-soft.” This race can occasionally fall to a relative unknown and one who is from left field is Matthieu Offenstadt and Bettina Jenney's Mr Owen (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). A Francois Rohaut-trained son of the 2007 G1 Prix Vermeille and GI E. P. Taylor S. heroine Mrs Lindsay (Theatrical {Ire}), he scored over this trip at Bordeaux-le-Bouscat Apr. 5 and is open to a large amount of improvement.
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