Helly Aa on upward curve

WILLIE McCreer y is hopi ng Up Helly Aa can handle another step up i n c l a ss whe n he graduates to Group Two company in the Prix Guillaume D’Ornano at Deauville today.

The Galileo colt justified the decision to move from maidens to Pattern races when finishing a creditable second in the Meld Stakes at Leopardstown last month on only his third start.

He treads a path similar to his dam Fiesolana, also trained by McCreery, whose sole run at Deauville resulted in third place in the Prix Maurice de Gheest in 2014.

“He seems in good form. He’ll have to improve again to win it but we hope he’s on an upward curve,” said County Kildarebased McCreery.

“He’s improving physically the whole time so I hope he will do so on the track.”

British raiders have won the last two editions of this race, the Martyn Meadetrained Eminent in 2017 and Harry Dunlop’s Knight To Behold 12 months ago.

Flying the flag this time is the Roger Charlton-trained Headman, who made a successful raid across the Channel recently, winning the Group Two Prix Eugene Adam at Saint-Cloud seven weeks ago.

He will be partnered by Jason Watson, who is expecting another prominent display from the son of Kingman.

“We’ve been happy with how he came out of his last race in France,” Watson said.

“He did win quite nicely and, encouragingly, so we’ll try our luck out there again.

“It’s a small field. He’s already beaten Flop Shot, who is running, so I hope he’s going out there with a good chance.”

Andre Fabre is doubly represented with Roman Candle and Flop Shot.

He is bidding to improve on his record tally of 11 wins in the mile-and-a-quarter contest.

The Godolphin-owned Roman Candle won the Group Two Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud in May, and was a close fourth to Japan in the Grand Prix de Paris on his latest outing.

Godolphin’s Lisa-Jane Graffard said: “Roman Candle is in good form and we know a bit more about him now as regards his level of ability.

“He is entitled to show improvement on softer ground. On ratings, that should give him a chance but the race looks very competitive, especially given the presence of Headman.”