Maftool And Belardo Go For French Guineas - 30.04.15

Maftool is set to join Belardo, the Dewhurst Stakes winner, in a two-pronged Godolphin attack on the French 2,000 Guineas at Longchamp on May 10.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor stressed that Maftool had been pleasing him but added; "We have decided to miss the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and go for the French Guineas instead, as it just gives him a little more time to prepare."

Roger Varian had taken a similar decision to head to France with Belardo, who seemed to find the Good to Firm ground unfavourable when eighth in the Greenham Stakes on his last outing.

Maftool raced in Dubai during the winter, winning the UAE 2,000 Guineas and finishing runner-up to Mubtaahij in the UAE Derby at Meydan. He also finished fifth to Belardo in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket last October.