Barnes faces Saint-Cloud test
Last Updated: 30/10/14 1:52pm
Runaway Leicester winner Johnny Barnes takes a significant step up in class in a bid to secure Group One glory in Thursday's Criterium International at Saint-Cloud.
John Gosden's two-year-old looked a smart recruit when making a winning debut at Yarmouth in mid-August and although he fluffed his lines at Goodwood next time, he bounced back with a demolition of his rivals in the Leicester mud earlier this month.
The Acclamation colt carries the colours of Bermuda Thoroughbred Racing, a syndicate run by Highclere for Bermudian businessman Simon Scupham.
Mark Kershaw, who has previously managed Ayr, Musselburgh and Newbury racecourses and was heavily involved in the planning and opening of Ffos Las, works part-time for Highclere and will represent the team in France on Thursday.
Kershaw said: "It's very exciting and I think everyone was keen to have a go at it. I think a big part of the decision to travel is that we know he can go on soft ground and I understand conditions at Saint-Cloud will be very testing.
"It is a big step up in class and it is quite an ask, but John Gosden is very happy with the horse. He came out of Leicester very well and he's in great shape, so why not have a go? He's a talented horse."
Explaining Bermuda Thoroughbred Racing in more detail, Kershaw said: "It was set up by Simon Scupham, who is a long-term supporter of Highclere and is based in Bermuda.
"Simon has had horses with Highclere for a long time and also has shares in Telescope, who runs at the Breeders' Cup on Saturday, so he is going to have a few very busy days of travelling.
"Simon thought it would be good to get a few of his friends from Bermuda together to own a few horses and Highclere manage the syndicate for them.
"This is the syndicate's first year, they have a couple of very nice horses, including Johnny Barnes, and have just bought a few more.
"To have a horse good enough to go for a Group One race is fantastic and everyone involved is very excited."
Champion trainer-elect Richard Hannon saddles Burnt Sugar, who was beaten just a length into fourth in the Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp at the start of the month.
Andrew Balding runs Windsor winner Master Apprentice, while Vert De Grece makes his debut for Roger Varian to complete the British challenge.
Vert De Grece won a Leopardstown maiden before pushing the high-class Gleneagles close in the Futurity Stakes at the Curragh for Irish trainer Joe Murphy and has since switched yards having been bought in a private deal.
Varian said: "He's trained well for the last few weeks and his last run in Ireland behind Gleneagles was very good. We're going into a bit of an unknown in terms of the ground, but I think he deserves to take his chance in the race. If he can reproduce his last run, that would give him a chance."
Andre Fabre's Alea Iacta has won each of her two starts, including a Group Three over the course and distance, and appears best of the home team.