Kinross Set for Another Try at Prix de la Foret

After running the quickest split of last year's Prix de la Foret Presente par Education Above All (G1) before finishing fourth, Kinross  is back—having improved significantly—for another crack in this year's edition of the about-seven furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and older Oct. 2 at ParisLongchamp.

This year Kinross, a 5-year-old Kingman  gelding, enters off wins in the Cazoo Park Stakes (G2) and Sky Bet City of York (G2) at Doncaster. Those efforts were good enough for Racing Post Ratings of 122 and 121, respectively. Those are group 1-winning figures and Kinross loves testing ground—expected Sunday—so the stars appear to have aligned for him to land his first success at the top level.

The only worry is his draw in stall 9, which is wider than ideal and the same as when he was beaten last season.

Off the back of two group 2 wins, Ralph Beckett is expecting a better display from Kinross than he managed when fourth in this race last year.

"He's not got a great draw (stall nine), but he's in good shape and will enjoy the ground," the trainer said of Kinross, who is the mount of Frankie Dettori. "He's in the right shape for the task ahead, that's for sure. It didn't quite go to plan last year, but I'm sure it will this time."

Japanese representative Entscheiden  finished a place ahead of Kinross in this race last season and from an even worse draw in stall 16. This time he has fared much better, coming from 4, but he hasn't reached the same level in Japan recently, so it remains to be seen if he is in the same form.

Kentucky-bred Tenebrism will start from stall 1, and a low draw can often be an advantage. The return to seven furlongs looks ideal for this filly, who has been stretched by a mile in her past two starts in group 1 events. Her two highest Racing Post ratings have been achieved over short of that trip, including when winning the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes (G1) in a good time last season. 

"I think seven furlongs is her trip and she handles ease in the ground," trainer Aidan O'Brien said. "She's in good form and has a nice draw. We've been very happy with her work of late, she's been doing everything lovely."