In Swoop Seeks to Enhance Credentials in Saint-Cloud

If a French-trained horse is to win the 2021 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), bookmakers currently believe it will be the one who went within one place of landing European racing's supreme championship last October. At Saint-Cloud July 4 in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (G1), In Swoop  seeks to enhance his autumn credentials.

Only a neck separated In Swoop from Sottsass  in his first attempt at the Arc, for which he is this season generally quoted at 14-1 and 16-1 having justified odds-on favoritism in his most recent two outings as a 4-year-old.

More is needed now, however, as Olivier Peslier's mount returns to group 1 company, attempting to post a second top-flight triumph to add to last year's German Derby (G1).

"This was always going to be his first big goal this season and everything he has done so far has been part of a programme leading to Saint-Cloud," said trainer Francis Graffard.

"I was very pleased with his last win. He is not the sort of horse who is ever going to win by a wide margin, and he was not at that stage 100%, but I thought he controlled the race and won well. He did the job."

Graffard also has In Swoop under consideration for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (G1), for which he is a best-priced 10-1 shot. That comes up quickly July 24, yet connections are not yet ruling out running the horse twice this month.

"One step after another," said Graffard. "The Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud is an important race for him. We can think after that."

The home team is also represented by Arc fourth Gold Trip , while many will fancy the chances of the Aga Khan's Ebaiyra , who returns to Saint-Cloud chasing a hat-trick after winning the Prix Corrida (G2) at the track 39 days ago.

Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre said: "She is in super condition and has had time to recover from her last run. I love the way the filly is progressing and it will be interesting to see her up against this level of opposition.

"She will have some very serious rivals to tackle here and I would prefer if the ground doesn't get really deep, especially given she will be back over 2,400 meters. If we got a lot of rain that wouldn't be ideal."

Broome Bids to End O'Brien's Wait 

Aidan O'Brien has won just about everything of any great significance in European flat racing but not the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, which he could take for the first time with the smart and consistent Broome .

The 2019 Investec Derby (G1) fourth has had an excellent 5-year-old season, following up three wins with a close second in an admittedly uninspiring Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1) before chasing home Wonderful Tonight  in the Hardwicke Stakes (G2).

Colin Keane has been handed the riding responsibilities on Broome, whose trainer said: "He stays the mile and a half well and seems to have come out of his run at Royal Ascot in good form. He's been consistent this year and has got form with an ease in the ground too."

Joseph O'Brien brings an arguably even more interesting runner to France in the shape of Baron Samedi , winner of seven consecutive races that have included the Prix du Conseil de Paris (G2) and the two-mile Belmont Gold Cup (G2) last month in New York.

He said: "It's a big step up in class but we're pleased with him. We're hoping he can run well. He'll handle the ground and he has traveled over very well."

Adding to the contest's international flavor are Germany's progressive Kaspar —third to In Swoop in last year's German Derby —and the Czech star Nagano Gold , who has been twice well beaten by In Swoop this year.

Tomas Janda, racing manager to Nagano Gold's owner-trainer Vaclav Luka jnr, said: "There are not many options for him. We wanted to go to Royal Ascot, as we did two years ago, but COVID-19 and Brexit restrictions made it too complicated, so we decided to stay in France. 

"Of course, it's very competitive, but we hope that with some horses trained outside France in the field there will be a decent pace. His two races in France this year have been run at a very slow pace, which is not suitable for him. If we do get a good pace, I think he is good enough to be placed."