Striking Twice

By Tom Frary

Now that Lightning Spear (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) has been able to impose himself at the highest level, Qatar Racing's stalwart has a live chance of doubling his tally in that sphere in Sunday's G1 Prix du Moulin at ParisLongchamp. There was no hint of fluke about the 7-year-old's G1 Sussex S. triumph at Goodwood Aug. 1 and the operation's racing manager David Redvers is full of hope ahead of his latest test. “From my point of view he looks amazing and I believe David [Simcock] and everyone at home is delighted with him,” he said. “The thinking was that he'd only have two more runs. He was to run in either the Moulin or the Prix de la Foret, and then either the QEII at Ascot or the Breeders' Cup Mile.” Runner-up in the Sussex, Khalid Abdullah's Expert Eye (GB) (Acclamation {GB}) renews rivalry off a straightforward success in the G3 City of York S. Aug. 25 and Juddmonte's Teddy Grimthorpe said, “He's been in good form since York and is stepping back up to a mile again. The ground should suit him, by all reports, and we're looking forward to it. It looks a strong and competitive race, but I think he certainly deserves to be there. I definitely feel he is a group one horse, but he's got to go and prove it.”

John and Tanya Gunther's Without Parole (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is on a retrieval mission after finishing seventh in the Sussex and sixth in the G1 Juddmonte International trying an extended 10-furlong trip at York Aug. 22. While the form of the June 19 G1 St James's Palace S. has taken several subsequent knocks, there was a sense at Royal Ascot that the homebred had plenty more to offer. “He's in good form. He got a bit squeezed out of it at York, but we've been happy with him since,” trainer John Gosden said. “I believe they've got quick ground and it's dry and sunny out there and this horse does horse does want top-of-the-ground.” SARL Darpat's May 27 G1 Prix d'Ispahan scorer Recoletos (Fr) (Whipper) and the July 8 G1 Prix Jean Prat hero Intellogent (Ire) (Intello {Ger}) are the chief domestic hopefuls with the former holding stronger claims having finished closest to Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville Aug. 12.

Godolphin Filly On Familiar Path…

Fillies and colts of the juvenile division warm up for their major autumn tests in the G3 Prix d'Aumale and G3 Prix des Chenes respectively. In the former race, Charlie Appleby saddles the July 27 Ascot novice scorer Ceratonia (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a half-sister to Wild Illusion (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) who was third in this last year before going on to win the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac. “Ceratonia won nicely on her only start to date and we feel that the step up to a mile is going to suit. This will help us to see where we are with her and the race should hopefully be a nice stepping stone for the future,” her trainer said. Runner-up to the Appleby trainee Beyond Reason (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in Deauville's G3 Prix Six Perfections over seven furlongs July 28, Team Valor's Devant (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}) warrants respect along with the unbeaten July 30 Clairefontaine conditions scorer Rocques (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}).

In the Chenes, Jean-Louis Bouchard's purchase Anodor (Fr) (Anodin {Ire}) bids to justify his new owner's investment and back up the promise of his debut success over 7 1/2 furlongs at Deauville Aug. 7. Appleby is present here also with the Sept. 1 Chelmsford novice winner Court Poet (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and he said of him, “Court Poet only won last week, but came out of the race very well and we felt that this was a nice opportunity to step up to Group company.”