Nearer the start of the 21st century, Godolphin had a fine record in the Prix Jacques Le Marois, taking the race on successive occasions in both 99/00 and, more recently, in 05/06 with Dubawi and Librettist, respectively.
Since then though, they have had a much more moderate presence in the race, and the likes of Gladiatorus and Dawn Approach did little to enhance their once-dominant record in the contest. This looks set to change this year, however, with both Toormore and Belardo set to be sent to join Prix Jean Prat winner Territories at Chantilly, leaving Godolphin mob-handed going in to Sunday’s race.
It is the French-trained Territories who looks to hold the best chance of three here, having improved again from his second in the 2000 Guineas behind Gleneagles with a victory in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat here last month. Territories was well on top in the final stages that day, beating Dutch Connection by half a length, with a further six lengths back to third-placed Sir Andrew. Although it was disconcerting to see Territories so outpaced in the early stages, that was the result of an over-strong pace, which admittedly helped him and Dutch Connection to come so far clear. That run represents the strongest piece of form this season amongst the three runners in royal blue, with Toormore’s Lockinge second having taken a few hits since and his Group 1 credentials somewhat in question as a result.
Estidhkaar’s connections have also opted for this race instead of the Hungerford Stakes, and he is certainly one of the most intriguing runners, based on the form of his Greenham Stakes second back in April, where he went down by just a neck to the subsequent triple-Group 1 winner, Muhaarar. Estidhkaar was rightfully fancied for the 2000 Guineas on the back of that reappearance, only to seemingly lose his action in the Dip and fold tamely outside the final furlong. This was not the first time Estidhkaar had disappointed at Newmarket, having underperformed when sent off favourite for last year’s Dewhurst Stakes, and he is well worth another chance at this level, remembering the good impression he made in the Greenham.
Another British-trained three-year-old worth a mention is Lightning Spear, who took the step up to Group 2 company in his stride when running a good second in the Summer Mile at Ascot in July, pulling clear of the field and just unable to live with Arod, who has since proved his Group 1 status with a second in the Sussex. That form puts Lightening Spear on the premises here, and with just five starts under his belt, he could be the one to give Territories the biggest challenge come Sunday, so long as he handles conditions which are likely to be more testing than anything he’s faced before.
All talk of dubious Group 1 claims doesn’t apply to Karakontie, who won the French Guineas and Breeders’ Cup Mile in 2014. The doubt for him is his absence: he missed the Lockinge because of a setback and, as a result, it’s felt that he can only be watched here.
Esoterique is the final French runner worth a mention, having bounced back to the level of her 2014 Prix Rothschild win when second behind Solow in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, but for all she is consistent at the top level, as she showed again when second in the Prix Maurice De Gheest last weekend, Esoterique will probably find at least one too good again here- which could well be her stablemate, the still-improving Territories.
