French Preview: Study of Man back in action

Deauville’s month-long celebration of racing focuses on the Group 1 events which take place every Sunday, however Wednesday afternoon’s card, featuring a trio of Group races, could still have a big impact on France’s biggest race: the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

The feature race (restricted to three-year-olds) on Wednesday – and feature horse – is the Group 2 Prix Guillaume d’Ornano starring Study of Man. He won a newcomers’ race at Saint-Cloud in 2017 and improved from his reappearance at Longchamp when winning a four-runner renewal of the Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud (beat Alounak three and a half lengths) in May. However, the form which means Study of Man is as short as 10/1 for the Arc is his win in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly in June.

Classic winner - Study Of Man, a son of Deep Impact, lands the QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club at @fgchantilly for trainer Pascal Bary and jockey Stephane Pasquier: pic.twitter.com/oOFCX0AqlZ

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 3, 2018

He had to work hard for his success - a half-length defeat of Patascoy - but kept on best in a tight finish. He should go on improving, but with the Arc in mind, whilst he’s by the (subsequently disqualified) Arc third Deep Impact, he's from a top miling family, that of Alpha Centauri in fact, so it remains to be seen if he'll stay any further than this mile and a quarter trip.

To boot, Wednesday’s race is no penalty kick. Patascoy, who was a head second to subsequent Prix Jean Prat winner Intellogent in the Prix de Guiche prior to the Jockey Club, is back for another crack, as is Louis d’Or, the Jockey Club third. Another by Intello, he is likely to stay further in time, though he will need to improve significantly on his below-par third to Gyllen in the Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam at Maisons-Laffitte last month. It’s also worth noting that, aside from Intellogent (fourth) and a couple of Aidan O’Brien also-rans winning lesser Group races since, the Jockey Club hasn’t worked out that well so far.

Gyllen is from the family of the high-class US performer Halory Hunter and was much improved when winning last time. He may do better still, and while he coped with heavy ground in the spring, winning twice in it, these conditions probably suit him best. His trainer André Fabre has won this race 11 times and another bold bid is expected.

Of the others, Lingfield Derby Trial winner Knight To Behold has since disappointed in both the Derby and its Irish equivalent, while the John Gosden-trained Crossed Baton has been second on his two starts since flopping in the Dante Stakes at York, first behind Jockey Club sixth Hunting Horn in the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot, and then when chasing home Gyllen at Maisons-Laffitte last time. Prix Noailles winner Pharrell was unable to follow up in the Prix Hocquart at Chantilly last time, but ran to a similar level in a close-up fourth; he needs to take another step forward.

Elsewhere on the card, the Group 3 Prix Gontaut-Biron should be a straightforward task for Talismanic. He’s improved plenty since finishing 11^th in the 2016 Arc, his three wins in 2017 including the Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar.

Andre Fabre strikes at @DelMarRacing - Talismanic wins the Longines @BreedersCup Turf! #BC17 pic.twitter.com/3KLnPfbr46

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 4, 2017

He was a well-held ninth of 10 behind Thunder Snow in the Dubai World Cup at Meydan when last seen in March, but is the class act here and should be able to set up a crack at either the Champion Stakes or Arc by seeing off his stablemate Wren’s Day, second to Cracksman when pacemaking in the Prix Ganay, and Chris Wall’s smart First Sitting, last year's winner.

The Prix de Lieurey earlier on the card won't provide any Arc clues – it being a Group 3 over a mile for fillies – but it looks an interesting race nonetheless. Fabre has won the race five times, including with Lady Frankel 12 months ago, and he has three leading contenders this year. Unlucky Poule d'Essai des Pouliches third Wind Chimes is top on ratings, but Flowrider and the progressive Environs hold equally strong claims.

There is a two-pronged British challenge, led by Poetic Charm. This half-sister to Teofilo shaped better than the result when one and a half lengths fifth to Pretty Baby in the Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood last time, finishing well though left with too much to do, and looks more of a threat than Mick Channon’s listed winner Adorable. The last-named failed to beat a horse home in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot last time, but is still lightly raced and may have more to offer with her sights lowered.

The pick of the bunch, however, could be Frankel Light. Four of her dam Mambo Light’s progeny have achieved a Timeform master rating of 100 or more, and this Sun Chariot Stakes entry has improved with each start this season; she’s earned the step up in class here and it would be no surprise to see her provide jockey Olivier Peslier with a record-breaking sixth win in the race.