Palais appointment for Inns Of Court and Jimmy Two Times
Racenews
31 May, 2018
Inns Of Court commences his four-year-old campaign in the G3 Prix du Palais-Royal, with Jimmy Two Times also lining up for Godolphin in the seven-furlong contest at Longchamp, France, on Saturday, 2 June.
Both horses are trained by Andre Fabre, with Inns Of Court (Mickael Barzalona) making his first appearance since coming home fifth to another Godolphin runner Ribchester in the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp over a mile at Chantilly in September.
The Invincible Spirit colt, who was headed on the line when going down by a short-head in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois over the same trip at Deauville in August, is unbeaten in four starts at seven furlongs, including a comfortable win in last year’s Prix du Palais-Royal, and drawn eight.
Five-year-old Jimmy Two Times (Vincent Cheminaud) has made two appearances, both over a mile at Saint-Cloud, so far this year, finishing second in the G2 Prix du Muguet on 1 May and coming home third in the G3 Prix Edmond Blanc on 2 April.
He won the same two races on his only starts in 2017 and has shown a high level of form over shorter trips, including when taking third in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest over six and a half furlongs at Deauville in 2016. He is drawn in stall seven.
The Godolphin duo feature in a field of 10 for the Prix du Palais-Royal, which also includes G1 Prix de la Foret third Karar and Polydream, runner-up to Wild Illusion in last season’s G1 Prix Marcel Boussac.
Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin commented: “Inns Of Court showed his quality in his races last year and we hope that he can have a nice comeback run.
“This looks a good starting point – he has a great turn of foot and the seven furlongs at Longchamp should suit – although he is coming up against race-fit rivals.
“Jimmy Two Times is in great form and his two runs this season have brought him on following his long break last year.
“There is a slight question mark as to whether he truly stays a mile and this shorter race might open up a few more options for him.”
Earlier on the same card, three-year-old Shamardal filly Lucie Manette (Andre Fabre/Mickael Barzalona), who was third in the mile Listed Prix des Lilas at Longchamp on 6 May, lines up over the same course and distance in the seven-runner Listed Prix Volterra.
