French Guineas attract large fields

There were no notable withdrawals from Sunday's Poule d'Essai des Poulains

(Fr-G1) at Longchamp, which attracted its usual

large field as the draw was made Friday.

Leading candidates Make Believe (Makfi) and Highland Reel (Galileo) received

favorable berths in four and seven, respectively, with the other main

protagonists Karar (Invincible Spirit) and Muhaarar (Oasis Dream) done less favors in 13 and 18.

The former, who sports

the Al Shaqab silks and was supplemented this week, came off a six-length

debut score against a smart yardstick at Saint-Cloud March 19 to run

second to the subsequent Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) runner-up Territories

(Invincible Spirit) in the course-and-distance prep, the Prix de

Fontainebleau (Fr-G3) April 12. On that occasion, he had The Commissioner

(Sea the Stars) two lengths back in third and trainer Francis-Henri

Graffard is hoping for a bold show.

"In his first two races, he didn't

have a choice other than to go to the front but we have galloped him to

switch off behind and get cover," he explained. "He has strengthened a

lot and I have to be pleased. He has a very good chance of being in the

frame. He got a surprise when Territories came in the middle of the track

and it was only his second start."

Graffard also saddles Cornwallville (Makfi), the Criterium du

Languedoc and Prix Aymeri du Mauleon winner who is in 15 and

racing manager David Redvers told PA Sport, "He was claimed last year and

he has already been a fantastic investment. He has won his last two

starts at listed level, so is battle-hardened and in top form. He's in

flying form, so why not have a go? It would be a nice surprise if he puts

in a bold show."

Muhaarar's trainer Charlie Hills was ill at ease after learning of the Greenham S.

(Eng-G3) winner receiving the widest draw, but is pleased that the accomplished colt

enters the fray in top order.

"Obviously we could have fared better with

the draw, but we can't do anything about that," he told PA Sport.

"Everything has gone absolutely perfect since the Greenham, I couldn't be

happier with the horse. The ground has dried up a bit since midweek,

which is in his favour, but he'll have to be very good to overcome the

draw."

Ervedya (Siyouni) will have to

overcome a wide draw in 12 as she bids to justify favoritism for Sunday's Poule d'Essai des Pouliches

(Fr-G1) at Longchamp. Last seen winning the Prix Imprudence (Fr-G3) over seven furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte April 2, the

Jean-Claude Rouget-trainee returns to the course and distance

over which she chased home Found (Galileo) in the Prix

Marcel Boussac (Fr-G1) on Arc day.

"She's a very speedy filly who seems to stay a

mile comfortably, so we are really looking forward to it," the Aga Khan's racing manager

Georges Rimaud commented.

Chief among her opponents are the two who

followed behind in the Imprudence, Ameenah (American Post) and

Queen Bee (Le Havre). Ameenah will exit

from stall five, while Queen Bee is in seven.

The latter was also behind Ervedya when fifth in the Marcel Boussac,

having won Deauville's Prix du Calvados (Fr-G3) over seven furlongs and jockey

Gregory Benoist believes she can find some improvement.

"She ran well in

the Imprudence and she is getting stronger," he said. "Her work has been

brilliant and I am expecting a really good run. She needs good ground and

the mile is a maximum for her."

Frankie Dettori has been snapped up by

Carlos Laffon-Parias for Bilissie (Dansili),

who earned this spot with a conditions win in first-time blinkers over

the track and trip April 20.

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