Landseer heads Aidan O'Brien's assault on Longchamp's three classic trials on Sunday. The Coventry Stakes winner makes his seasonal bow in the one mile Prix de Fontainebleau, the main prep for the French 2,000 Guineas. The pick of his seven opponents are Criquette Head-Maarek's Medecis, unbeaten in three outings as a two-year-old, Rashbag, and Bowman.
O'Brien sends over Canberra for the five runner Group Two Prix Greffulhe, a stepping stone to the French Derby. The Galway winner faces a stiff task in this extended 10-furlong test up against the Gerald Leigh-owned Act One, who got the better of Landseer in the Group One Criterium International last autumn. Trained by Jonathan Pease Act One is bidding for a four timer.
Earlier on the card Sophisticat represents Ballydoyle in the French 1,000 Guineas prep, the Prix de la Grotte. Chantilly-based Richard Gibson unleashes Danseuse d'Etoile, the top-rated French two-year-old filly in 2001 and just edged out by Sulk in the Prix Marcel Boussac, in this race.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
