Pinatubo to Put Reputation on Line in Prix du Moulin

The Sept. 6 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1) might not be the best group 1 over a mile this year—if the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) unfolds as is hoped, it might only just sneak onto the podium—but it is a long time since a top-level race represented such a lean cut.

The best races tend to have at least one dreamer in there; the Moulin has no such horse. All six runners are multiple group 1 winners, four have won classics, and one of the exceptions is the favorite.

If Pinatubo can be priced up as an even-money favorite, then he is demonstrably still living off his reputation. He recorded his first win of the year last time in the Qatar Prix Jean Prat (G1) and did so with a bit in hand, but the bare form was still eight pounds off his best last year. His previous run, a length second to Palace Pier in the St. James's Palace Stakes (G1), was technically better but works in justifying his price here only if you ignore what was behind that day.

Of his five rivals, the two who can be glossed over in this lofty company are Circus Maximus and Romanised. That is not to disregard them, rather to say that their level is well established. Both are known to be effective under these conditions—they were first and second, a nose apart, in this race last year—but are unlikely to do any better, and that leaves them vulnerable.

There remains some untapped potential in each of the other three runners. Persian King is the eldest at 4, but he missed the rest of his 3-year-old season after finishing second to Sottsass in the QIPCO Prix du Jockey Club (G1). His belated return in the Prix d'Ispahan (G1) brought a career-best effort in winning decisively before he floundered in the mud behind Palace Pier at Deauville last time.

Siskin and Victor Ludorum are 3-year-olds with more to give. In Victor Ludorum's case, he is coming home. That means back to the course and distance over which he won the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere-Grand Criterium (G1) in October, and a mile more generally. He has not stayed 10 furlongs on his past two runs, having won the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (G1) the time before.

Siskin might offer the best alternative of all to Pinatubo. He traveled powerfully through the Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1) only to falter a little under pressure. It looked likely that the track did not play to his strengths. ParisLongchamp does not have a camber and, importantly, does not rise at the finish like Goodwood does. A lesser test of stamina could draw even more from Siskin, who remains an exciting miler.

Appleby Bullish Over Pinatubo Claims

A trip to France helped last year's top juvenile, Pinatubo, get his 3-year-old campaign back on track, and there are bullish noises from his camp that he could play another starring role.

A homebred of Godolphin, which has won the Moulin with Slickly, Librettist, and Ribchester, Pinatubo was flawless in six unbeaten runs last season but failed to build on expectations when third as the favorite for the QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (G1) in June.

He shaped respectably once more with a second in the St. James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot before landing Deauville's Prix Jean Prat in July.

The Jean Prat was over seven furlongs, and trainer Charlie Appleby said: "We were delighted to see Pinatubo get his head back in front in the Jean Prat after gallant efforts in the Two Thousand Guineas and St. James's Palace Stakes. We purposely gave him a break after that run with the view of going for this race. His preparation has gone well, and we are looking forward to stepping him back up to a mile.

"It's a very competitive race, but we are very confident that we have Pinatubo in great shape and he is going to run a big race. I think it will be tactical, but Pinatubo is blessed with the way he travels and his turn of foot. Hopefully, if we can get everything in the right order, he is going to be a big player."

The Shamardal colt's regular jockey, William Buick, misses the ride because the trip would result in him enduring an isolation spell in quarantine due to the COVID-19 outbreak, so his great pal and Godolphin colleague James Doyle will be aboard.

"James knows Pinatubo very well, having ridden him for much of his 2-year-old season, including winning the Vintage Stakes (G2)," added Appleby, seeking his first triumph in one of France's best mile events.