Appleby Sends Naval Crown on Prix Jean Prat Mission

Charlie Appleby has had a season to remember with his 3-year-olds, and the Godolphin trainer is confident Naval Crown  has the required armory to bring him more joy July 11 in the Haras d'Etreham Prix Jean Prat (G1) at Deauville.

Naval Crown bids to go one better in Sunday's seven-furlong test than when second to Creative Force  in the June 19 Jersey Stakes (G3) at Royal Ascot and make it successive victories in the race for the trainer following Pinatubo 's success last year.

"He came out of the Jersey in good order and seven furlongs is an ideal trip for him," said Appleby, who has booked Kevin Manning for the ride. "He has a decent draw in stall 1 and some rock-solid form behind him so far this season. We feel that he will be the one to beat."

Prior to Royal Ascot, Naval Crown finished fourth in the May 1 QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (G1), with Sunday's re-opposing rivals Battleground , Wembley , and Thunder Moon  in behind him.

Battleground improved to finish third in the St. James's Palace Stakes (G1) on his last start and looks among the main dangers to Naval Crown.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "Battleground has been very good since Ascot, we were delighted with him there. He's back over seven but we never thought he was short of speed and he does travel powerfully in his races, so hopefully it will suit him. 

"Wembley missed the break at Ascot and reared up so it was a bit of a non-event for him. Circumstances have worked against him this season, but his work has been very good. He's working a lot better than he's running."

Of Thunder Moon, trainer Joseph O'Brien said: "He's traveled over to France well and it looks a suitable race for him. We're hoping for a good run and we think the trip will suit him well. I'd be a little bit worried about the ground, so we'll monitor that."

Mehmento  and Law of Indices will also attempt a raiding trip. 

Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (G1) runner-up Colosseo , Prix Djebel (G3) winner Fast Raaj , Prix Paul de Moussac Longines (G3) winner Erasmo  and runner-up Best Lightning , Prix Imprudence (G3) winner Reina Madre , Prix Herod winner Midtown , and Prix Volterra winner Valloria  make up the contingent with local experience.

"We always intended to wait for this race after his great run in the Poule d'Essai, as I don't think he will stay any further," trainer Gianluca Bietolini said of Colosseo. "He has excellent form against the best of the French, while (Poule d'Essai des Poulains winner) St. Mark's Basilica is an extraterrestrial. The only worry is that the horse has never run on a straight track, but he's in top form and loves soft ground."

Mauricio Delcher Sanchez, trainer of Reina Madre, said: "She was beaten when it happened but she got quite a nasty cut (when she finished 13th and last of all) in the Poule d'Essai (des Pouliches, G1), but has recovered well. It's a track she handles well and soft ground shouldn't bother her. She has realistic ambitions to be in the money."