French listed winner Helter Skelter (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}-Winna Chope {Fr}, by Soave {Ger}) sustained a fatal injury on the gallops on Wednesday morning, owner Masaaki Matsushima confirmed to Jour de Galop. The colt, an €30,000 yearling at the Osarus September Yearling Sale in 2018 who was purchased by Matsushima after his 3 1/2-length victory in the Listed Criterium du Fonds Europeen de l'Elevage, had held an entry in the June 1 G1 G1 Poule d'Essai de Poulains. He was a last out sixth in the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau behind The Summit (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) at ParisLongchamp on May 11. Another entry that is no longer taking part in the Monday colts' Classic is the maiden Lord Wellington (Fr) (War Command), leaving a field of nine, headed by Godolphin's Group 1 winner Victor Ludorum (GB) (Shamardal), at the second forfeit stage.
In the fillies' equivalent, trainer Fabrice Chappet has withdrawn G3 Prix d'Aumale runner-up Secret Time (Ger) (Camacho {GB}) and the winner Porcelaine (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}). At this point in the entries, 14 fillies have stood their ground for the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. Thursday marks the next withdrawal period. Both 1600-metre Classics will be staged without spectators at Deauville, due to the coronavirus lockdown preventing any racing in France's 'red zone'.
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