Victor Ludorum Has Tricky Draw in Prix du Jockey Club

Much of the talk ahead of the Investec Derby (G1) focused on English King's prospects from stall 1, and Mickael Barzalona will have to deal with the same dilemma aboard the Victor Ludorum, the favorite for the July 5 Prix du Jockey Club (G1).

With a relatively shorter run to the start of the right-hand turn at Chantilly the conventional wisdom is that a low number is vastly preferable than being trapped three or four wide as the field sweeps in front of the royal stables and the chateau.

Whether Victor Ludorum, winner of the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas, G1) last out, is the ideal type to benefit from his inner berth is open to question. His trainer Andre Fabre has always maintained this would be the ideal test for the son of Shamardal, and was delighted with the way he picked up from the back to dominate his rivals over the mile at Deauville. 

"I have always felt this was the race for him and the only thing that worries me is his style of racing as he likes to come from behind," said Fabre. "I hope he won't have any traffic problems but apart from that I am happy with everything. He is working well and he looks good. Any draw is good if you win."

Victor Ludorum is rated three pounds superior to the runner-up in the French Guineas, The Summit (FR)—the injured Olivier Peslier is replaced by Vincent Cheminaud—with a further three pounds back to Mishriff, Ecrivain, and Pao Alto.

"It's a great shame about Olivier Peslier because he rode him the last time and they got on very well," said The Summit's trainer, Alex Pantall. "With his wide draw, experience could be invaluable. He is a pretty easy horse to handle and usually breaks well so hopefully he can take up a good position without expending too much effort. After that he will sit in the jockey's hands and Vincent will have to try and finesse his stamina because I can't be sure if he will stay the 2,100 meters (about 1 5/16 miles)."

Christophe Ferland, trainer of Pao Alto, has no worries about the distance.

"I have been able to prepare him as I wished and I don't have any concern over the step up in trip," he said.

Fabre's second contender Ocean Atlantique has a bit to find on form but ran below :11 for the penultimate furlong of an easy listed win at Deauville, though he and Pierre-Charles Boudot must cope with the challenges of stall 14. 

Fabre said: "He is a beautiful horse and a good mover. He has good initial speed and then can accelerate, as well as having a good temperament. He can go forward if necessary and is a nice easy ride."

John Gosden trains Mishriff, one of the secondary favorites.

"He won't mind a bit of give in the ground as he's pretty versatile in that department and won quite a strong listed race on his return at Newmarket last month," he said. "Obviously this is a step up and he'll need some luck in running."