Having found the going tough at home, British trainers are mob-handed in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville on Sunday. No fewer than 13 have horses engaged in the group one contest ahead of today’s forfeit, in which Marchand D’Or, the July Cup winner, bids to strengthen his claim on champion sprinter honours.

Further British interest could materialise at tomorrow’s supplementary stage, with Peter Chapple-Hyam keen to drop Winker Watson in distance after his fourth in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. “I was delighted with that,” Chapple-Hyam said of Winker Watson, “but Ryan Moore felt he didn’t quite get home. We wouldn’t want the ground to be soft, but I’m keen to go if possible.”

However, any collective jaunt across the channel is likely to encounter opposition from the Aidan O’Brien stable. The Ballydoyle handler has five horses entered - among them US Ranger, a head behind Marchand D’Or in the July Cup, and Astronomer Royal, who won last year’s French 2,000 Guineas.

Johnny Murtagh is expected to return from Chicago to ride Ballydoyle’s representative after partnering Mount Nelson in the Arlington Million on Saturday. Heavy overnight rain fell in Chicago on Monday night but that did not prevent Archipenko completing his fast work yesterday morning. Murtagh also partners Ballydoyle’s Plan in the Beverly D Stakes on the same day.

Further afield, Ballydoyle’s Henrythenavigator and Duke Of Marmalade have been entered for the Cox Plate on October 25, while Yeats and Septimus are part of a 13-strong team under consideration for the Melbourne Cup. Luca Cumani has five entries, although Purple Moon, the runner-up 12 months ago, is not among them. Other British contenders include Sixties Icon, who won the St Leger in 2006, and Patkai, the favourite for this year’s renewal.

Frankie Dettori is a late replacement for Ryan Moore at the Shergar Cup at Ascot on Saturday. Having ridden for Europe in the jockeys’ competition 12 months ago, Dettori now represents a Great Britain team captained by Hayley Turner. Dettori said: “I have lived here for 25 years and been British champion jockey three times so I think I’m pretty well qualified to join the home team.”

Tom Dascombe is to send Marine Boy for the Gimcrack Stakes after the colt’s striking win on his recent debut.Zacinto, another impressive winner first time out, has been pencilled in for the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on September 13. The colt is a 14-1 chance for the 2,000 Guineas.
(Source: The Times)