Francis-Henri Graffard and the Aga Khan Studs are set to enter the primary two French classics Might 10 with a powerful hand after Rayif and Narissa got here out of their ultimate gallops earlier within the week in glorious form.
Rayif was final seen ending third behind Puerto Rico within the 2025 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (G1) and people two horses will renew their rivalry in a subject of 13 after declarations had been made Might 8.
Connections of the French colt determined to skip his supposed prep for the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas G1) after a barely detached piece of labor.
“He galloped very well, he even labored a tad higher than Narissa, so we really feel like he is actually again to kind,” mentioned racing supervisor Nemone Routh.
“What I would actually like for him is to not get an excessive amount of rain. They mentioned it is not too comfortable on Thursday, which is sweet.”
In addition to Puerto Rico, Aidan O’Brien additionally runs the 2025 Killavullan Stakes (G3) winner Dorset . Christophe Soumillon partnered Puerto Rico to a pair of group 1 victories in France final autumn, however Ryan Moore steps again in for the journey on the 6-4 favourite Sunday. Soumillon as a substitute companions Dorset.
Karl Burke is answerable for Hankelow , who gained the Autumn Stakes (G3) on his final juvenile begin in October. Clifford Lee will take the journey.
William Buick will associate Komorebi , who gained the Prix de Fontainebleu (G3) final time for Godolphin and Andre Fabre.
Doyle on O’Brien outsider for Boussac rematch in Pouliches
The Aga Khan’s prime filly Narissa additionally completed third to Ballydoyle’s Diamond Necklace within the Prix Marcel Boussac (G1) on Arc day and the pair will conflict once more in Sunday’s Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas G1), which has attracted a subject of 15.
“Narrisa’s properly and he or she’s obtained a terrific flip of foot,” Routh mentioned. “She ran a terrific first race again final month and we actually wished to deal with it as a comeback, it wasn’t a case of win in any respect prices.”
Like Puerto Rico, Soumillon additionally rode the unbeaten Diamond Necklace twice final yr, however Moore is the principle within the saddle this time. With the Belgian ace as a substitute taking the journey on one other unbeaten filly, The Final Dance, that left a Ballydoyle journey spare with Hollie Doyle booked on outsider Venosa, a Gun Runner filly who acted as a pacemaker for Diamond Necklace within the Boussac final yr earlier than ending final of eight.
Inexperienced Spirit , second within the Boussac, will even reoppose, whereas the Rockfel Stakes (G2) winner Zanthos is ready to make her seasonal reappearance for Simon and Ed Crisford. She might be ridden by Oisin Murphy.
Two fillies had been added to the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches subject Might 7, with Prix Imprudence (G3) winner Showna supplemented at a value of €39,600, and Baklawa taking on her free engagement courtesy of victory within the Prix de la Californie.
Isle of Fernandez , who completed third to Showna final time, runs for Kevin Ryan. He has booked the Two Thousand Guineas (G1) winner Billy Loughnane to take the journey.