Pinatubo Seeks Redemption in Prix Jean Prat

Charlie Appleby has been gracious in defeat at the hands of Kameko and Palace Pier so far this season but for both the trainer and his star pupil Pinatubo, the July 12 Qatar Prix Jean Prat (G1) at Deauville marks a crucial crossroads in the season. 

A win would mean Appleby can start planning for an assault on prestigious all-age prizes later in the year but anything less than that—against what looks an excellent standard of opposition—and the whispers about whether Pinatubo will ever fully match his achievements at 2 will grow much louder. 

"We've been delighted with Pinatubo going into the Prix Jean Prat. He has put up two gallant performances over a mile but the drop back to seven furlongs should suit," said Appleby. "We feel he sees the mile out but has just been outstayed on both occasions this season.

"This is hopefully the right race for him to get his head back in front. We know that the distance is well within his comfort zone and it's his last opportunity to take on 3-year-olds at this level. He's in good order and we'll be disappointed if he doesn't win."

Pinatubo is joined in Deauville by Well of Wisdom, who is officially rated 12 pounds his inferior but who Appleby insists is neither pacemaker nor makeweight. 

"Well of Wisdom is lining up on his own merit following two decent performances at Meydan and under a big weight at Sandown," said Appleby. "He has good form in France and could hopefully run into a place." 

While fans would love to see Pinatubo back to his flying best in the Prix Jean Prat, punters have plenty of ammunition with which to take aim.

Wooded, winner of the May 13 Prix Texanita (G3), is fancied to be the major challenger. 

"He's well and since he had to miss Ascot we've been aiming at this race," trainer Francis Graffard said. "He needs to get back to the races, it's not easy to keep a lid on a horse like him without running for six weeks. Fourteen hundred meters (seven furlongs) is about the limit for him and it's a tough race but he'll have the good ground, which he loves."

Tropbeau has three group race wins to her name and was favorite for the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French One Thousand Guineas, G1), where she finished fourth. She is also unbeaten over seven furlongs, which figures given how she has shaped over six and eight.

"One possibility is that the mile was a tiny bit too far for Tropbeau, which is why I wanted to see her over seven furlongs," trainer Andre Fabre said. "There isn't much for the fillies around this trip at the moment apart from Goodwood late in the month."

Fabre also sends out group 1 winner Alson, who was third last out in the June 1 Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas, G1). 

"I was pleased with Alson's run as the Poule was his first race of the year and we can expect a little bit of improvement," he said. "It's going to be a fast race which will suit him and he will run well." 

Similar comments apply to Lope Y Fernandez, who filled the same position in the Tattersalls Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1) as Pinatubo managed at Newmarket (third), while shaping more obviously like a seven-furlong horse.

"Lope Y Fernandez seems to be in good form and is back up to seven furlongs," said Aidan O'Brien, who also sends out Arizona in this spot. "We are looking forward to seeing Arizona running and he seems to be coming forward." 

British raiders Malotru and Kinross are also likely to be better at this intermediate trip, but admittedly have a good bit more to prove in terms of ability.

"This has turned out to be a really tough group 1 with Pinatubo taking his chance along with Aidan O'Brien and Andre Fabre running two each," said Marco Botti, who trains Malotru. "We always felt we would have a crack at the top class with him and we'll take our chance. Good ground is important to him and so Ascot wouldn't have been ideal. This is his optimum trip and Andrea Atzeni likes the horse so that's a bonus. We're hopeful of a good run." 

Roger Varian, who trains June 18 Jersey Stakes (G3) winner Molatham, spoke to the depth of the race as well.

"It looks a strong race with a lot of depth including Pinatubo who, although he hasn't won this year, has run well in defeat," he said. "It looks like he could be suited by a drop to seven and he's the class act in the race.

"Having won the Jersey, Molatham deserves his chance in a race like this and I think he's versatile with regards to trip and ground because he's a very relaxed horse. But he is also a fast horse with gears. He's recovered well from Ascot and trained well over the last fortnight.

"When you step up to group 1s it's very hard to duck and dodge horses, you don't find weak races at this level. It will require a step up in form to come home with the prize but he deserves to have a crack at a race like this and he looks really well at home. He won on the soft at Ascot but he has nice form on good-to-firm as a juvenile."