DEAUVILLE SUNDAY

2.15 LARC PRIX MAURICE DE GHEEST (GROUP 1) 3YO+ 61/2F

A fascinating international field. Irish interests will be represented by the evergreen Gordon Lord Byron, who is no stranger to Group 1 events in France. Gold Fun will be the first Hong Kong-based runner in this country. English trainers have won four of the last seven runnings of this event and five in the field of 16 have crossed the Channel this time.

Gordon Lord Byron has hit form at exactly the right time and will be trying to add the Maurice de Gheest to the Group 1 Prix de la Foret, which he captured in 2012. Recently, Tom Hogan has saddled him to win at Tipperary and then the Group 2 Friarstown Stud Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh.

Richard Gibson cut his teeth in France before continuing his life in Hong Kong four years ago. He sent Gold Fun to Royal Ascot, where he was narrowly beaten by Twilight Son in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes, and he has remained in England since. Just behind Gold Fun came Signs Of Blessing and Suedois, and they will both be trying to take revenge. Suedois has since been runner-up to the top-class Limato in the Darley July Cup, where Twilight Son finished 14th.

William Buick returns to France for the first time since picking up a suspension of 30 days following his riding in the Prix de Diane and an incident with the stewards during the enquiry. He will be on board Dutch Connection, but only if Charlie Hills is satisfied with the underfoot conditions. This colt lifted the Group 2 Qatar Lennox Stakes at Goodwood and Hills won this race a year ago with Muhaarar.

In 2014, Richard Fahey greeted Garswood in the winner’s circle and he will be represented this time by Donjuan Triumphant. Last year, he won a Group 2 contest at Maisons-Laffitte and ran fourth in the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud, but was disappointing last time out. The French will do well to keep this race at home. Signs Of Blessings is part of the local team together with the improving Jimmy Two Times, Attendu and five others.

On two-year-old form, Jimmy Two Times is well held by Donjuan Triumphant, but he is on a hat-trick at Deauville, where he picked up the Group 3 Prix de la Porte Maillot last time out.

Attendu was raced in top company last year and opened his 2016 account by easily accounting for Esoterique and Territories, both Group 1 winners, in the Prix du Palais-Royal at this track. Back in May, Mobsta had Gordon Lord Byron well behind him in the Group 2 Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes at the Curragh and has not been out since. Gifted Master is held by Dutch Connection on recent form. Decidedly a very open contest and hopefully decent ground will prevail.

Selection: GORDON LORD BYRON

Next best: Dutch Connection (If non-runner: Gold Fun)

2.50 PRIX DE LA POMME (ARGENTINE) PRIX DE REUX (GROUP 3) 3YO+ 1M 41/2F

This is a trial for the Grand Prix back here at the end of the month.

Big Blue appeals on this occasion. This son of Galileo had good form with top-class stayers and recently won well at Chantilly.

Norse King is the most experienced horse in the field and needs cut to show his best. He has been a Group 2 winner in the past and had a listed success earlier in the season. Richard Hannon saddles Ventura Storm. He will be making his fourth trip to France and was recently a game winner at Hamilton.

Pacific Angel won well at Maisons-Laffitte last month, but the most interesting runner is Cohesion.

Trained by the in-form David Smaga, this colt is on a hat-trick, can act on all grounds and is progressing with every outing. Not a great race but an interesting one.

Selection: BIG BLUE