IMPERIAL MONARCH is set to try and secure some better luck in France in Saturday’s Group One Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp.
Aidan O’Brien’s colt has been in the shadow of his triple-classic winning stable companion Camelot throughout this season and had no chance to escape it when enduring a nightmare passage in last month’s Prix Du Jockey Club at Chantilly.
Imperial Monarch was subsequently taken out of the Irish Derby at a late stage due to ground conditions at the Curragh but the €600,000 Bastille Day feature looks to provide him with an opportunity to break into the Group One spotlight.
O’Brien has also left in the Royal Lodge winner Daddy Long Legs among the 14 remaining in the Grand Prix de Paris after yesterday’s forfeit stage and victory for either one of the Ballydoyle stars would see them follow in the footsteps of the 2005 winner Scorpion.
Andre Fabre is the undoubted king of the race, having won it a remarkable 11 times already and he has four remaining in it, while the Aga Khan’s Kesampour, disappointing in the French Derby, is also a contender.
Best of the British possibles looks to be the Epsom Derby runner-up Main Sequence, who hasn’t been seen since chasing home Camelot over a month ago.
Main Sequence’s Irish born trainer David Lanigan is expecting a big run from the Niarchos owned colt.
“He worked on Saturday, his last serious piece of work, and seems fine. I’d like good or better ground if we could get it at the weekend. I just wouldn’t want extreme soft ground, and it seems they’ve avoided a lot of the rain in Paris that we’ve had recently,” Lanigan said yesterday.
“He needs a nice strong pace and likes to pass horses, Ted (Durcan) knows him better than anybody.
“This year is a very difficult one for the horse, there’s a lot of nice four-year-olds to take on but he’s strengthening all the time and next year is going to be his year. We’ll train him with that in mind and that will be in the best interests of the horse,” he added.
Aidan O’Brien has also left in the star stayer Fame And Glory in the Group Two Prix Maurice De Nieuil on the Longchamp undercard.
The 14 furlong event is worth €130,000 and also among the entries are the English hopes Brown Panther and Harris Tweed as well as the French Group Two winner Vadamar.
Fame And Glory could finish only seventh in last month’s Ascot Gold Cup but if O’Brien elects to travel him on Saturday it will be his third spin around Longchamp.
Having finished sixth to Sea The Stars in 2009 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Fame And Glory could finish only eighth the following year in the Arc behind Workforce.
Co Tyrone trainer Andy Oliver is considering sending his stable star Sendmylovetorose to Newmarket for Friday’s Group Two Cherry Hinton Stakes.
“We have to make a decision during the week. There are several factors involved,” he said yesterday. “For one we are waiting on the ground. She goes on easy ground and though she’s a sound good-moving filly who we think will go on good ground, the easier the ground the better for me. I’m conscious of her travelling twice within the month after her abortive mission to Ascot.”
He added: “The other consideration is the other option we have on her agenda is whether to supplement her for the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.”
