Armory Leads O'Brien Duo in Criterium International

Wet weekend weather denied a mob-handed Aidan O'Brien a chance to claim the Vertem Futurity (G1) at Doncaster, but he'll hope to put that right in France Oct. 27 with Armory and Wichita in the Criterium International (G1) at ParisLongchamp. 

Surprisingly, the master of Ballydoyle has yet to win a group 1 with a 2-year-old colt this season, but he is responsible for two of the four runners in a seven-furlong contest he has won four times, most recently with Johannes Vermeer in 2015. 

The market suggests the experienced Armory is the main contender after a consistent season. He has shaped well at the top level on his past two starts, finishing second to the brilliant Pinatubo in the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (G1) before a close third in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere-Grand Criterium (G1).

Meanwhile, Wichita arrives after a promising third-place effort in the Darley Dewhurst (G1), before which he was an emphatic winner of the Tattersalls Somerville Stakes (G3) at Newmarket.

O'Brien said: "Armory is in good form, and we think he has progressed since his last outing, which was a slowly run affair. Heavy ground will be far from ideal for him, and the same goes for Wichita, whom we've been happy with since the Dewhurst. He's still a big baby but is progressing."

Alson finished one place ahead of Armory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, and Frankie Dettori is booked to ride again for Jean-Pierre Carvalho. He had won his previous two starts before finishing behind Victor Ludorum on Arc weekend.

Carvalho said: "We kept him fresh for the autumn, and he seems in good form. I don't see the drop back in distance as a negative—it's not always easy coming back in trip, but the 1,400 meters at ParisLongchamp with the long straight to the second winning post takes some getting."

The Joseph O'Brien-trained Lady Penelope completes the field. She was fourth in a group 2 at Maisons-Laffitte last time and makes her first start since being purchased by Phoenix Thoroughbreds. 

The Night of Thunder filly was originally owned by Matt Eves, whose Star Bloodstock outfit pinhooked her for £32,000 (US$41,261) at the Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale and re-offered her at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale, where she failed to reach her reserve when bidding reached €45,000 ($50,558). Bred by Kiltown Bloodstock, she is out of the unraced Nayef mare Step Sequence, from the family of group 1 winners Charm Spirit and Ransom O'War.

"We've been impressed with Lady Penelope's progress this year," said Phoenix Thoroughbreds CEO Amer Abdulaziz. "She seems to be getting better with every start, which suggests she might make an even better 3-year-old.

"We're looking forward to seeing her race in our silks at the weekend. …Whatever happens, with luck we will have a smart filly on our hands."