French Guineas winner Rayif heads to Deauville for the Prix Jacques le Marois
Rayif, the colt who landed the French 2,000 Guineas (Poule d’Essai des Poulains) this season, will attempt to put a below-par Prix Jean Prat effort behind him when he lines up in Sunday’s Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.
Stop-start campaign and Royal Ascot absence
Connections describe Rayif’s campaign as disrupted. He carried top-level form into the season by winning the French Guineas despite going there without a prep run, but a minor setback subsequently forced the team to withdraw plans to run him in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. After a two-month break he returned in the Prix Jean Prat and finished fifth.
Deauville a proven track for the colt
Deauville represents a track where Rayif has already shown he acts well. He won on the course and at this meeting as a two-year-old and will be stepping up in trip by a furlong from the Jean Prat, a factor connections cite as relevant to his chances. They also emphasise that this will be his first trouble-free prep for some time.
Race picture altered by Bow Echo withdrawal
The handicap of a high-class field has shifted after the shock retirement of Bow Echo earlier in the week. That withdrawal has changed the dynamic of the Marois and, according to Rayif’s team, opened up the contest. Rayif remains one of around ten horses still in contention following the latest entry stage.
Potential rematch with Thesecretadversary
Rayif is likely to meet the Prix Jean Prat winner Thesecretadversary again. The latter’s trainer had been weighing up a trip to York for the City of York Stakes but, in light of Bow Echo’s absence, is leaning towards sending the horse back to France for the Marois.
- Rayif: French 2,000 Guineas winner, fifth in the Prix Jean Prat on return from a break.
- Missed St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot due to a minor problem that prevented travel.
- Deauville: course where Rayif has previous winning form and experience at the meeting.
- Field re-shaped by Bow Echo’s retirement; approximately ten remaining entries for the Marois.
With the straight Deauville track known to suit certain profiles, connections believe course form will be important. They are hopeful that a slightly longer trip and a clear preparation will produce an improved showing from a colt who has shown Group 1 ability but whose season has been interrupted.
The Aga Khan Studs Prix Jacques le Marois represents one of the summer’s notable middle-distance Group 1 contests across the Channel and, as ever, offers a high-quality clash between established milers and emerging stars. Rayif’s presence will add a French Guineas winner to the mix and provides an interesting storyline for followers who noted his absence from Royal Ascot earlier in the season.
