Saturday’s 9-race card at Chantilly features a trio of Gr.3 events, two of them important tests for the juvenile generation.

First up, and won last year by a certain Victoria Road, the 1800m Prix de Condé has drawn three colts and a similar number of fillies. Shiffrin, the only horse with some black-type to her name, finished 3rd in a valuable Deauville Listed after having won two straight at Clairefontaine, and is a serious candidate. The Irish-trained Bad Desire has raced just once, but his 2nd place on debut at Galway was sufficiently convincing. Jean-Claude Rouget sends out De Sica, while Darling Darling and Shalella both recently won over this trip.

A slightly larger field of eight juveniles contests the 1200m Prix Eclipse. Archie Watson sends over Action Point, a colt that ran 4th in a York Gr.2 after having won a Newbury Listed. André Fabre saddles Mr Fleurant who opened his account nicely at Deauville in early August. A bit too eager in the Prix du Calvados, Laulne drops back to a more suitable distance. Karl Burke’s Dawn Charger, Henke Grewe’s Three Havanas, and Mount Vernon, are all in with a shout of picking up some prizemoney. 

For 3 year-olds females and over, the 1800m Prix Bertrand de Tarragon has attracted 11 runners and, oddly for a French group race, all are trained domestically. Turn Cartwheels keeps progressing, most recently won a Listed in the provinces, and looks a player. Excellent in her last two, Gregarina is back at her best but has never raced beyond a mile. Second in the Gr.1 Prix Rothschild, Life In Motion was very disappointing in the Jacques le Marois, but is taking a big dip in class here. Left Sea and Immensitude must also be respected.