Chantilly stages an excellent ten race programme on Sunday. Whilst the French Derby takes centre stage, there is a strong supporting card with plenty of Black-Type races.
Race two, the 1.08pm, is an intriguing Listed contest over 5f for two-year-olds and whilst there may be little form to go on, a few catch the eye after nice debut victories. The Fixer is the most experienced French runner in the line-up after three starts alongside UK challenger, Ziggy's Phoenix who scored for the second time in a competitive conditions race at Chester. Dorothy Lawrence is another interesting candidate proven in this class following a second at York last month. Flers and Scar Chope are two fillies who won first up.
Next up is a high-class race supporting the Derby card with the Group 2 Grand Prix de Chantilly over 1m 4f. Simca Mille looks to be the class runner with winning form at this level last season. The four-year-old won the Group 2 Prix d'Harcourt at Longchamp before a second at the same track five weeks ago attempting the Group 1 Prix Ganay. Back down in level, rates as the one to beat.
Haya Zark will be having a first visit to the turf course at Chantilly following a success in the Group 3 Prix d'Hedouville a month ago over this journey at Longchamp. Lastotchka steps back up in class after a good second in Listed company at Longchamp four weeks back. The shorter trip could help. Kertez is a consistent five-year-old who has placed five times from his last six runs including twice at this level. My Lyka rounds out the field and steps up in grade from class two conditions level.
Race six is the Group 2 Prix de Sandringham for three-year-old fillies over 1m. Tigrais looks interesting based on the form of her sixth in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere last October and this filly won prior in Group 3 company at the same Paris venue. She steps up in trip for the first time. Sauterne was a solid third tackling the Group 1 French 1000 Guineas at Longchamp three weeks ago and should enjoy the drop back down in grade.
Palerma holds a consistent profile and ran well behind future classic winner Blue Rose Cen when third contesting the Group 3 Prix de La Grotte over this distance at Longchamp. Calistoga seeks a four-timer and looks a promising type following a Listed triumph at this course and distance. Zarinsk is another to note bringing an interesting Irish profile. Finally, Kelina deserves a good mention after her solid fourth in the Group 1 French 1000 Guineas at Longchamp three weeks back. This progressive daughter of Frankel steps back down in class and holds claims.
Another three-year-old filly's race is the Prix de Royaumont over 1m4f where Boogie Woogie represents the Epsom Derby winning team of Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien. She was far from disgraced when three lengths behind the winner in sixth in the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp three weeks ago. Trust The Stars placed third in the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket last month and is also upped in distance with both candidates looking intriguing international challengers.
We go back to the straight course for race nine for the Group 2 Prix du Gros-Chene over 5f. Believing catches the eye on paper after a course win in Group 3 company over 6f here last time. Vadream is another UK runner who rates highly. She found success at Newmarket last time over this trip tackling the Group 3 Palace House Stakes. Coeur De Pierre was a strong third in last year's Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp and the seven-year-old is not dismissed.
