Set Fair

Just a whisker separated them in Goodwood's G1 Sussex S. and Sunday's G1 Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois offers the chance for Galileo Gold (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}) and Ribchester (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) to renew rivalry over Deauville's straight mile that tends to act as a level playing field.

Both finished a neck behind The Gurkha (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) when second and third, respectively, in that July 27 feature, with Galileo Gold clinging to that position as Ribchester got going late. For Hugo Palmer, this latest foray for his admirable G1 2000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace S. hero is another test of his resolution that he expects to pass.

“He's in great form. It's a hot race, there's no hiding place and he's a worthy favourite,” he said. “He's taking his racing well and has travelled over and settled in. The track and the ground should be fine. It would be great to get another Group 1 under his belt, but like any Jacques le Marois, it will take plenty of winning. He's been a star for us all along.”

Ribchester is one of the most improved 3-year-olds of the summer, raising his profile from G2 Mill Reef S. winner and 2000 Guineas third to near-Sussex hero with a win in the G3 Jersey S. in between at Royal Ascot June 15. Everything points to him giving Galileo Gold plenty to think about on his third crack at the Al Shaqab runner and trainer Richard Fahey is expecting a bold show.

“I was very pleased with how he took his race at Goodwood,” he said. “He looks the part and has given me encouraging signals. I don't think the track or any type of ground will bother him on Sunday.”

Andre Fabre is just one shy of Francois Boutin's record of seven wins in this prestigious affair and saddles a potent duo, with last year's winner Esoterique (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and the intriguing Vadamos (Fr) (Monsun {Ger}). Esoterique needs to arrest a period of relative decline since her success in the G1 Sun Chariot S. at Newmarket in October, with her latest fourth in the G1 Prix Rothschild over this course and distance July 31 suggesting she had to raise her game to repeat her antics of 12 months ago. Vadamos, like the trainer's 2007 hero Manduro (Ger), has come to this race in a round-about fashion with tries over middle distances preceding his emergence as one of his country's leading milers. Having beaten Ervedya (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) convincingly in the G2 Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud May 1, Haras de Saint Pair's homebred put a subsequent fourth placing in the nine-furlong G1 Prix d'Ispahan at Chantilly May 24 firmly behind him with another dynamic performance when capturing the G3 Prix Messidor at Maisons-Laffitte July 16.

“My horses are both in good shape and have pleased me in their preparations,” Fabre commented. “I thought Esoterique was a bit unlucky not to finish third in the Prix Rothschild here at Deauville after stumbling as she came out of the stalls. Her last bit of work was encouraging and I think she is as good as she was going into the race a year ago. Vadamos is an impressive horse, both to the eye and the way he performs in morning work. I was delighted with his latest gallop and as he's proved himself at group three and group two level, I'm optimistic he can now bridge the divide to becoming a group one winner.”

His Highness The Aga Khan's Ervedya is another filly to disappoint so far in 2016, having established herself as belonging in the top league when bringing up a trio of notable victories last term in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, G1 Coronation S. and G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp. Beaten 3 1/2 lengths by Vadamos in the Muguet, she was fifth in the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot last time June 14 and has been nursed back to a peak by trainer Jean-Claude Rouget.

“She had a good final gallop for the Marois and seems very well in herself,” he explained. “The ground will be satisfactory for her. Hopefully all is set fair for her to run a big race on Sunday.”

The Marois is a “Win and You're In” qualifier for the GI Breeders' Cup Mile.