French Guineas Preview
J A McGrath
12 May, 2016
The first two French Classics of the season are run at the Normandy seaside course Deauville this year and Godolphin hopes are pinned on Birchwood and Come Alive.
Godolphin rely on the Richard Fahey-trained Birchwood to carry its hopes in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and the Andre Fabre-trained Come Alive to represent the stable in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at Deauville on Sunday.
The first two French Classics of the season are run at the Normandy seaside course this year because a new grandstand is being built at traditional venue Longchamp.
Birchwood, having his first start of the season, is to be ridden in the French 2,000 Guineas by in-form Godolphin jockey James Doyle.
Mickael Barzalona takes the mount on the unbeaten Come Alive in the fillies' equivalent.
John Ferguson, Godolphin's racing manager and chief executive, said: "Birchwood is a horse who has been pleasing Richard Fahey at home. He took him to Newcastle for a racecourse gallop and he performed well.
"He will be in a good place when he turns up for the Guineas on Sunday.
"Come Alive is a filly Andre has always held in high regard and the fact that he wants to run her in the Guineas is good enough for me," he added.
