Absolutely Fabre-lous
STAR NAMES IN ACTION AS RACING RESUMES
TOP-QUALITY action will be on offer when racing returns in France on Monday for the first time since March 17.
Sottsass, winner of last year’s French Derby and third behind Waldgeist and Enable in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, is one of 13 entries in the Group Two Prix D’Harcourt.
The colt, not surprisingly, tops the betting at 4-6 with Paddy Power.
Andre Fabre, successful in the Arc for the eighth time with Waldgeist, has his Classic hopes Earthlight and Victor Ludorum entered for the Group Three Prix de Fontainebleau.
Earthlight staked his claim as a worthy contender against Pinatubo, rated the best juvenile of last season, when taking the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket in September.
The colt was extending his winning sequence to five and will hopefully be able to return to England in the first weekend of June to locks horns with Pinatubo in the 2000 Guineas.
Victor Ludorum, successful in all his three races in France last year, has the French 2,000 Guineas as his target.
Fabre is currently favouring running Victor Ludorum in Monday’s mile race as he suggested Earthlight would run over seven furlongs on his return.
“Victor Ludorum will start on May 11 all going well and then go for the Poule d’Essai (2,000 Guineas) and the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby),” said Fabre.
“The horses look good and the extra month was not bad for young horses.”
Victor Ludorum heads the betting at 4-5 with Paddy Power over his stablemate Earthlight trading at 5-1.
In Monday’s Group Three Prix de la Grotte, Fabre’s exciting prospect Tropbeau is the 6-4 favourite.
She was last seen when chasing home Millisle at Newmarket in September when third in the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes.
On that occasion she did not have a clear run and can be considered an unlucky loser.
In the past French racing has struggled to attract big crowds and taking place behind closed doors on Monday will not affect the occasion as so few people tend to turn up.
But next week – due to these unprecedented times – the world will be watching this star-studded card where Fabre can top the bill.