Classy Field Of Nine Stand Strong In Prix Jacques le Marois

Prix Jacques le Marois

The feature race of the week comes from Deauville and it sees the Group One Prix Jacques le Marois and nine entries stand strong at the latest forfeit stage for declarations.

Sussex stakes duo Kameko and Circus Maximus are currently set to renew there rivalry in France with both of them coming out of the Group One contest at Goodwood in good form and ready to compete again.

Aidan O'Brien's four year old landed the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot before a valiant second in the Sussex Stakes last time out with Mohaather getting up late on.

Kameko was he 2000 Guineas winner and since then has contested the Derby where he ultimately didn't stay, but back to a mile last time out at Goodwood saw him looking to mount a big challenge but getting no run at all and hitting traffic it left a lot to the imagination.

While £275,000 was the total purse for the Sussex, the runners in the Marois will be competing for their share of €600,000. 

The St James's Palace Stakes winner Palace Pier is set to feature at the top level again with John Gosden's three year old unbeaten on all four starts to date and is currently favourite to take another black type race.

The Niarchos family could be double headed in the event, with Circus Maximus looking a certain but Royal Ascot winner Alpine Star could also contest the race having had her form franked from the Group One Prix de Diane last time out with winner Fancy Blue landing the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood next time out.

There are four French-trained runners in the field and Persian King for Andre Fabre looks to be the strongest chance of the lot.

He is backed up by Pretreville for trainer Pascal Barry, Restiany and The Summit make up the pack and that could see handler Henri-Alex Pantall field two.

There have been some big names scratched from the entries on Wednesday with Sussex Stakes winner Mohaather not turning up along with Vatican City and Wichita who also contested that event.