Cosmic Year expected to shine in Prix Jean Prat outing

South Wales Guardian

a day ago

Part of an outstanding group of three-year-olds assembled by leading owners Juddmonte, he was last seen chasing home Field of Gold in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and now reverts to seven furlongs seeking his own top-level success.
Charlton said: 'He's in good form, we gave him a little break after Ireland as we knew we weren't going to Royal Ascot due to Juddmonte's team of other horses, so we've kind of been targeting this race since the Curragh and he's been moving great. He seems in good nick and we're very happy with him.
'I hope he's still got lots more to come, we're still learning about him as he's obviously come into this year very inexperienced.
'I'd be happy to run a mile again but seven furlongs is perfect for him, he's done most of his racing at seven and he's a quick horse. He has the speed for seven furlongs but I do think he gets the mile.'
Charlton saw Juddmonte hotpot Kikkuli turned over in this Group One event 12 months ago but is taking plenty of encouragement from Curragh conqueror Field Of Gold's dazzling display in the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, which gives a timely polish to Cosmic Year's fine run in Ireland.
He added: 'Ireland was a slightly odd race for us as we probably got a little further back than we wanted and then it was kind of done and dusted and Field Of Gold is a very good horse who put the race to bed before we got going really.
'It's exciting if he can improve from that and it should give him a great chance of figuring on Sunday.'
While Cosmic Year was seen just the once as a two-year-old, Charlie Appleby's Shadow Of Light was busy making a name for himself by winning both the Middle Park and Dewhurst Stakes in the autumn.
Upped to a mile for his return, he was beaten a length by stablemate Ruling Court when third in the 2000 Guineas and having since finished fifth in the Commonwealth Cup over six furlongs at Royal Ascot, he splits the difference by returning to his Dewhurst-winning distance.
Appleby told www.godolphin.com: 'The drop back in trip and quick ground caught out Shadow Of Light in the Commonwealth Cup, but he came out of the race in great nick.
'Stepping back up to seven furlongs is a positive, and hopefully the ground at Deauville will be a bit more forgiving. We will be on weather watch and a decision will be made on the day after we have had a look at the ground.
'I can't fault his preparation going into this and feel he is the horse to beat if he can run up to anywhere near the form of his Guineas third.'
Further British and Irish interest is provided by Aidan O'Brien's one-time Derby hope The Lion In Winter, who drops back in trip significantly after disappointing in the premier Classic at Epsom.
Meanwhile, Christopher Head's Maranoa Charlie will run in the colours of Bond Thoroughbreds after the Yorkshire operation purchased the son of Wootton Bassett following his recent Prix Paul de Moussac win at Saint-Cloud.
Christophe Ferland's Silius has finished second to Maranoa Charlie the last twice, with Francis-Henri Graffard's Woodshauna also a live hope for the home team having accounted for Harry Eustace's Royal Ascot heroine Time For Sandals in the Prix Texanita.