Green Spirit and Narissa clash in Prix de la Grotte
1.33 ParisLongchamp - Classic prospects Green Spirit and Narissa clash
Exciting duo Green Spirit and Narissa clash in a stellar renewal of the Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp.
Christopher Head saddles Green Spirit, who made huge strides last season when winning her first four starts - including at Group 3 and Group 2 level. She was not disgraced when beaten by Diamond Necklace in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc Day and sets the standard on reappearance under Maxime Guyon.
Narissa chased home Green Spirit on three occasions last year, including when third in the aforementioned Group 1. She will need to have progressed over the winter if she is to close the gap, but the pair are currently 8/1 for the French 1000 Guineas. Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard has landed the last two renewals of this race and also fields Anashkaya, who is partnered with Christophe Soumillon.
Evolutionist ran a superb race when third in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile and cannot be dismissed for trainer Karl Burke.
2.50 ParisLongchamp - Lagardere runner-up Nighttime returns
All eyes will be on Nighttime as he puts his Classic claims on the line in the Group 3 Prix de Fontainebleau at 2.50pm.
The Christopher Head-trained colt scored on three of his five starts as a two-year-old and finished the campaign with an excellent second behind Puerto Rico in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. That form entitles him to start favourite here and this step up to a mile is likely to suit.
Regal Resolve is the main danger for the all-conquering Francis-Henri Graffard yard. Supplemented for this race, he is two from three after winning a pair of lesser races on the all-weather at Chantilly and he deserves a crack at this better grade.
Elastic claimed a Listed contest at Saint-Cloud last month so has the fitness edge over his rivals, while Campacite is another with top-level placed form for Jean-Claude Rouget.
2.38 Ffos Las - Doujadou and Into The Blue contest intriguing maiden hurdle
A competitive edition of this Amroth Bay Static Caravan Sales Maiden Hurdle sees Doujadou and Into The Blue feature among a field of 11.
Rebecca Curtis took this prize with the useful Newton Tornado last season and Doujadou has shown enough so far to warrant respect in here. A point winner, he has filled the places in both starts over hurdles and is expected to improve with racing.
Into The Blue is an interesting newcomer for the Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville combination. This son of Blue Bresil has a taking pedigree, being related to Rajhani Express, and must be monitored in the market.
The Sam Thomas-trained Knead A Win is top-rated on a mark of 122 and he has solid claims if fit enough after an absence.
Best of the rest
ParisLongchamp's 3.25pm Group 3 Prix Noailles has seen some stellar winners over the years, including the incredible Calandagan in 2024. This year, Spece Waltz is well-fancied for Andre Fabre whilst Joseph O'Brien's raider Hardy Warrior is of interest from a home nations perspective.
Map Of Stars and Marquisat are sure to be popular with bettors for the Listed Prix Lord Seymour at 4pm, with James Doyle taking the ride on the former for Wathnan Racing.
On home soil, the progressive Manigod could be the one to beat in an open-looking Tommy Williams Memorial Handicap Hurdle (3.50pm) at Ffos Las.
