Prix Jacques Le Marois Preview

Selection - Circus Maximus

The Group One Prix Jacques Le Marois on Sunday sees a stellar field of seven head to post and with the rain lashing down in Deauville we believe the favourite is vulnerable.

A horse who will revel in conditions is the consistent Circus Maximus for Aidan O'Brien, being a frequent in one mile Group One contests and always putting up his best efforts with cut in the ground.

This season he has been seen twice, winning the Group One Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on his seasonal debut and then last time out finishing a good second to the speedster Mohaather in the Sussex Stakes.

That sets up some of the best form in the race and looking back on his past form, he has raced once in France during his career and he won the Prix Du Moulin.

At 5/1 he represents the value in the contest.

Horses To Follow

Palace Pier - Palace Pier is the current favourite for the event and on form alone deserves to be, the son of Kingman has been faultless to date, winning both his starts as a juvenile, starting at Sandown back in August winning a nice maiden and then going on to back that up over the same course and distance.

He made his seasonal debut at Newcastle on the all weather seeing off a stern effort from the Richard Fahey trained Acquitted but off the back of that he improved a massive amount to hunt down Pinatubo late in the day at Royal Ascot in the St James’s Palace Stakes.

What puts us off him is being unproven on soft ground and his price is very skinny in what looks a classy field

Persian King - France's best chance in the race is Persian King who has been a star for Andre Fabre, winning the French 2000 Guineas and finishing second in the French Derby as a three year old.

This season, he needed his first run of the season but has since been back on top form landing a Group Two and another Group One last time out.

Soft or heavy ground seems to play to his strengths but he is taking on his toughest field and might find a few slightly to good.

Alpine Star - Jessica Harrington has had a superb season so far and this horse has been at the forefront of that being a smart juvenile but kicking on this term.

She made her seasonal debut at Royal Ascot in the Group One Coronation Stakes and beat a decent field comfortably.

Off the back of that she was a narrow second to Fancy Blue in the French Oaks and with that form working out and getting weight off the field she can not be ruled out.

Romanised - Finally, at a big price last year's winner Romanised will need a career best to lans this season's renewal with the event looking much stronger than last term.

The son of Holy Roman Emperor has been the leading horse for the yard Landing the Irish 2000 Guineas back in 2018 and since then landing the Group Two Minstrel Stakes at The Curragh in the last two seasons.

He has to have a chance and will handle the soft conditions.