Shamardal heads Longchamp field
Godolphin’s Shamardal will be out to redeem himself when he reverts back to a turf surface in the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp on Sunday.
Last season’s champion European two-year-old, when trained by Mark Johnston, flopped on the dirt in the UAE Derby at Nad Al Sheba ruling out a trip to Churchill Downs for last weekend’s Kentucky Derby.
He is reported to having been working well back in Newmarket since his arrival from Dubai.
The Giant’s Causeway colt headed 12 foreign raiders for the Gainsborough Poule d’essai des Poulains at today’s latest declaration stage.
Shamardal’s trainer Saeed bin Suroor also has Belenus in the field, but he is thought likely to wait for the Predominate Stakes at Goodwood next week.
Aidan O’Brien’s all-conquering Irish stable has English 2000 Guineas fourth Oratorio heading his three entries, which also include Cougar Cat and Dark Cheetah.
Leading the home challenge will be Helios Quercus, who was beaten on his latest start, having won the Grand Criterium de Saint Cloud last season for trainer Cyrilliaque Diard.
The Gainsborough Poule d’essai des Poulains (French 1000 Guineas) has just 17 left in it, headed by hot favourite Divine Proportions.
The current eight-pronged foreign legion are headed by Barry Hills’ Maids Causeway, runner-up to Virginia Waters in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.
O’Brien has three entered – Cherokee, Silk And Scarlet and Mona Lisa, although the latter is declared for York’s Musidora Stakes tomorrow.
