Andre Fabre's Victor Ludorum (GB) (Shamardal) will attempt to do the French Guineas and Derby double which stablemate Persian King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) so nearly pulled off last season, as the latest entries for the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Prix de Diane were announced on Monday. One of 27 in the males' Classic, he turned around previous form with The Summit (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who had beaten him in the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau in May, his only defeat in his career.
Fabre could also run the promising 'TDN Rising Star' Ocean Atlantique (American Pharoah) while Christophe Ferland's Pao Alto (Fr) (Intello {Ger}), who beat Ocean Atlantique in the G3 Prix la Force, is another major contender.
John Gosden's Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) was an impressive winner of a Newmarket listed race on his return to action, beating better fancied stablemate Waldkonig (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Gosden favoured keeping him at 10 furlongs rather than stepping up in trip for Epsom. The only other entry from Britain is Paul and Oliver Cole's Celtic Art (Fr) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), runner-up in a Deauville listed race last October.
Aidan O'Brien has left in four, headed by MGSW & MG1SP Armory (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), while Joseph O'Brien can choose from seven, including G1 Irish Derby also-ran and GSW Crossfirehurricane (Kitten's Joy).
Jessica Harrington's impressive G1 Coronation S. winner Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) is among 17 in the G1 Prix de Diane. Donnacha O'Brien's Fancy Blue (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) could make the trip along with his brother Joseph's New York Girl (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}), who ran in the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Saturday, while their father Aidan has left in G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas winner Peaceful (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
The home team is headed by Jean-Claude Rouget's duo of Raabihah (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and G1 Prix Saint-Alary victress Tawkeel (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}).
Peter Chapple-Hyam's Bharani Star (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and David Simcock's Oriental Mystique (GB) (Kingman {GB}) could make the trip.
The next entry stage closes on Tuesday morning, with the final entrants announced on Thursday. The current entries for the Prix du Jockey Club and for the Prix de Diane are available at www.france-galop.com/fr.
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