Cadran contender Morgan Le Faye spearheads strong Longchamp challenge on Saturday

Progressive stayer Morgan Le Faye and unbeaten G2 winner Brundtland feature among a powerful Godolphin team on day one of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting at Longchamp, France, on Saturday, 6 October.

Four-year-old filly Morgan Le Faye (Andre Fabre/Mickael Barzalona) stretches out to two and a half miles for the first time in the G1 Prix du Cadran, a race won decisively by her dam Molly Malone six years ago.

The daughter of Shamardal finished fourth behind another Godolphin runner Kitesurf in the G2 Darley Prix de Pomone over an extended 12 furlongs at Deauville in August before staying on strongly when a close third in the G3 Prix Gladiateur over just shy of two miles at Longchamp on 9 September.

Morgan le Faye faces seven rivals headed by G2 Darley Prix Kergorlay winner Holdthasigreen and Mille Et Mille, who won the Prix du Cadran in 2015.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin commented: “We are very pleased to have kept Morgan Le Faye in training this year.

“All the evidence pointed to her improving with age and her performance in the Prix Gladiateur suggests that she is really beginning to peak.

“She has a very good turn of foot, but a G1 over this trip is always a big challenge, particularly for a filly coming up against some battle-hardened stayers.

“It’s hard to know how she will cope with two and a half miles, but her dam won this race so we are hopeful that she will stay.”

Brundtland (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) goes for a second straight G2 success at Longchamp in the 15-furlong G2 Prix Chaudenay following a game short-head verdict in the G2 Prix Niel over a mile and a half on 16 September – a third victory in as many starts for the Dubawi colt. 

He is joined in the eight-runner race by fellow three-year-old Lillian Russell (Henri-Alex Pantall/Mickael Barzalona), a Dubawi filly who has been successful on four of her six appearances, most recently when the comfortable winner of a 14-furlong Listed race at Maisons-Laffitte on 7 September.

Charlie Appleby reported: “Brundtland brings a progressive profile into this race, having taken a big step up on his latest start when winning the Prix Niel.

“He has come out of that race well and we hope to see further improvement over this trip.

“James Doyle said that he galloped strongly to the line in the Prix Niel and took a bit of pulling up, so hopefully this sort of distance is the right way forward. If he stays, he should be the one to beat.”

Lisa-Jane Graffard added: “Lillian Russell is making a big step up in class, but she is very much on the upgrade and we are not entirely sure how far she can progress.

“She has a bit to find on the ratings with Brundtland, but we are confident that she can run a good race over a trip that will play to her strengths.”

Loxley (Charlie Appleby/William Buick), who runs in the G2 Prix Dollar over nearly 10 furlongs, also boasts G2-winning form in France this year, with the three-year-old colt gaining an impressive two-length success in the extended 12-furlong Grand Prix de Deauville in August.  

The son of New Approach drops down in distance after failing to stay 14 and a half furlongs in the final British Classic, the G1 St Leger, at Doncaster on 15 September.

Charlie Appleby commented: “Loxley blatantly didn’t stay in the St Leger and has produced some decent performances over shorter distances this season, so we are not concerned about coming down in trip.

“He has taken the race at Doncaster well and, if he brings his best form to the table, will be a serious contender.”

Graphite (Andre Fabre/Mickael Barzalona, drawn eight) and Glorious Journey (Charlie Appleby/William Buick, drawn six) both head into the mile G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein on the back of G3 victories over the same trip at Deauville in August.

Lightly-raced Graphite, a four-year-old son of Shamardal, got up on the line to beat Salsabeel by a short-head in the Prix Quincey, while three-year-old Dubawi colt Glorious Journey made all for an easy win in the Prix Daphnis.

Lisa-Jane Graffard added: “Graphite improved with every run this year following a good break last winter. We couldn’t be happier with him – he looks very well physically – and we are hopeful that he is ready to peak.”

Charlie Appleby remarked: “We targeted this race for Glorious Journey following his victory in the Prix Daphnis and he has freshened up well.

“He seems to enjoy spacing out his runs and both the ground and trip should suit.

“Hopefully, his confidence should be up after winning last time out and he goes into this race with a live chance.”