Serpentine Returns in Grand Prix de Paris

It is not all that unusual for Investec Derby (G1) form to be tested in the Grand Prix de Paris (G1) at ParisLongchamp. The extent to which it is happening this year is certainly atypical, while the 10-week gap between the two races is totally novel. This year's Grand Prix de Paris on Sept. 13 is in the slot normally reserved for the Prix Niel (G2).

Four of the 10 runners lined up for the July 4 Derby, including winner Serpentine. He is the only runner who is out for the first time since.

"He's just ready to start and is going to improve plenty from the run and that's the way we want him," said trainer Aidan O'Brien, who also sends out Nobel Prize and Mogul. "Whatever he does here he will improve plenty for it as he had a good long break after Epsom."

The chances of the three Ballydoyle runners working in concert are slimmer than usual, as quarantine rules and Irish Champions Weekend mean that local jockeys are on all three Aidan O'Brien runners.

As is often pointed out in these previews, Christophe Soumillon is a more enterprising rider than his reputation suggests. His being on Serpentine is almost certainly no coincidence. 

Serpentine's Derby performance, more than that of just about any winner in recent memory, is one in sore need of testing. It has always been generally accepted that Serpentine was flattered by the margin of his 5 1/2-length win, although fewer now contest him being the best horse in the race.

That is partly on account of the division becoming bingo-like in the wake of the Derby. English King, floated as a moral winner at Epsom, has since been beaten in the John Pierce Racing Gordon Stakes (G3) by Mogul, who has since trailed in third in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes (G2).

The track at Goodwood is a viable excuse for English King, but the notion of him being a star 3-year-old is on life support. At least he is almost certainly in the right race this weekend having been taken out of the Pertemps St. Leger Stakes (G1). His pedigree suggests stamina, but his racing style would not inspire much confidence over further than 1 1/2 miles. A French-style race might be just the thing for him, as he has a notable change of pace.

"We always preferred to come here, but declared him for the St Leger because of (COVID-19) and any moving goalposts," said trainer Ed Walker. "He's in cracking form, as good as I've had him. I just wonder whether breaking a 30-year track record at Lingfield and a Derby may have left him a bit flat at Goodwood. I know he didn't come down the hill well, but he still didn't run a bad race, although he wasn't himself. I think the six weeks since have done him well and I think we'll see his true colors, and time will tell if that's good enough. Fast ground, a flat galloping track, and a mile and a half will see him run to a very high level; we'll see how good he is."

The added competitors from the continent are headed by Deutsches Derby (G1, German Derby) winner In Swoop and Prix Hocquart victor Port Guillaume. Their level of form is within hailing distance of what the likes of English King and Mogul have achieved. Rather than having excuses, both are sufficiently lightly raced to think that they can improve a little more.



Stradivarius Heads Prix Foy

Stradivarius, whose connections have grown bored of outsprinting stayers, has been priced up for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) as though he will be fully effective back at 1 1/2 miles. It is not an unreasonable conclusion, but it would be unwise to assume it will be the case. Sunday's Qatar Prix Foy (G2) should offer a genuine test as to whether he has what it takes down in trip.

"He's in good form and has been sharp enough in his recent work to suggest this step back to a mile and a half shouldn't bother him," trainer John Gosden said. "It will be hot over there and the surface will quick enough, but he's shown in the past he handles any ground. It'll probably be a tactical race unlike the group 1 races over there where they go flat out, but I'll leave that side of it to the jockey. (Stradivarius) is pretty versatile so can either make the running or drop in."

The market suggests last year's Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck poses the main threat, but his profile is so in and out that it is debatable whether he is really a benchmark for anything these days.

How Stradivarius fares relative to him is less interesting than his match-up with a small group of France's second-tier middle-distance performers.

Skyward looks a bit of a no-hoper, but the other three in the field were the first three home in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1). Way To Paris won and there is every reason to think he is the best of them, given he started the sprint for home in the worst position.

Before that, Way To Paris had been beaten just a head by Sottsass in the Prix Ganay (G1). Racing Post Ratings and the French handicapper agree that Way To Paris is better than ever at the age of 7 and, even though he is 50-1 for the Arc, beating him handsomely would confirm that Stradivarius can bring all his staying class back here on the first Sunday in October.

"He loves the track and, although he might not be at 100%, I'm quite confident," trainer Andrea Marcialis said. "It wouldn't surprise me if Frankie tried to make it on Stradivarius, and he's obviously a classy horse."