Prix Jacques Le Marois

[brockguy]

from post again. Come on Manduro!!

MANDURO, the world's top turf performer based on Racing Post Ratings, is on course to clash with Prix du Jockey Club winner Lawman in Sunday's Prix Jacques Le Marois.

The five-year-old charged to the head of the global turf rankings by posting a 131 RPR when winning the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

Following earlier victories this season, in the Earl of Sefton Stakes and Prix d'Ispahan, Manduro is set to defend an unbeaten 2007 record at Deauville this weekend.

Owner Baron Georg von Ullmann's racing manager Paul Harley said on Sunday that Manduro is "well", and that "Andre Fabre is very pleased with him".

Unlike Manduro, three-year-old Lawman is already a Group 1 winner at the Prix Jacques Le Marois distance of 1m, having landed last month's Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly, to follow up his French Derby triumph.

His trainer Jean-Marie Beguigne said on Sunday: "All has gone well with him since the Jean Prat, and he has remained at Chantilly, where he'll work on Tuesday as his final preparation for the Jacques Le Marois."
The Princess Zahra Aga Khan's Darjina is unlikely to take on Manduro and Lawman, with trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre saying: "We are now looking at races like the Prix du Moulin or Matron Stakes at Leopardstown the previous day."

The Moulin at Longchamp on November 9 is also a possibility for BGC Sussex Stakes runner-up Excellent Art, Aidan O'Brien has revealed.

The trainer blamed a lack of experience for the colt's narrow defeat at the hands of Ramonti at Goodwood last Wednesday.

O'Brien said: "He has come out of the race fine, but was caught out by inexperience. He has never had such a competitive race on a track like that before.

"The winner got acouple of lengths on him and then the line came too quick, but I have no doubt that he will leave that run behind."

He added: "Definite plans have yet to be decided but we will look at the Moulin and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes."