Desmond Stoneham

THE Group 2 Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte tomorrow looks at the mercy of the visitors which total five in a field of six. It has been left to Criquette Head-Maarek to defend the honour of France in the five and a half furlong straight event with her highly promising filly, High Dream Milena.

The English team of four is headed by Heartache and she will be supported by many members of the Hot To Trot Syndicate, which is run by Sam Hoskins. Trained by Clive Cox and to be ridden by Gerald Mosse, this unbeaten daughter of Kyllachy stands out. After thrashing seven others at Bath when making her racing debut, Heartache was even more impressive at Royal Ascot where she was extended to capture the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes. Cox knows every blade of grass at Maisons-Laffitte as he took the Robert Papin last year with Tis Marvellous and in 2012 with Mosse and Reckless Abandon.

Richard Hannon has also chosen a top French pilot as De Bruyne Horse will be partnered by Christophe Soumillon. After comfortable wins at Ripon and Epsom, the colt was well fancied for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot but he could only manage eighth and was then fourth in the GAIN Railway Stakes at the Curragh. Hannon has a good record in this race which he took in both 2014 and the following year.

Tom Dascombe has booked Richard Kingscote for Frozen Angel. This colt opened his account at Ascot and was back at the same track for the Royal meeting in June when he ran fourth in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes. Unfortunately (the mount of Tony Piccone) knows this track well as he was just touched off by the smart Ardenode in the Listed Prix La Fleche. Karl Burke then saddled him for a conditions race at Pontefract where he again went under by a narrow margin.

Italian juveniles won the Robert Papin in the year 2000 and again in 2008. Best of luck to the racecourse commentator as Ipompieridiviggiu, named after the musical comedy film The Fireman of Viggiu, will be a mouthful but the colt is useful back at home where he has won two of his three races, including the Group 3 Premio Primi Passi at San Siro.

Last but not least comes the French defender High Dream Milena (Dabirsim). She won a newcomers’ race at Chantilly with ease and the runner-up, Tantheem, has since trotted up on the all-weather at Deauville. Criquette-Head last won the Robert Papin in 2009 with Special Duty.

Richard Hannon also saddles Tai Hang Dragon in the Listed Prix de Bagatelle and the filly should go close.

In the Listed Prix du Carrousel, there is an English presence as James Fanshawe has chosen the event for Lord George (Cristian Demuro) and Hughie Morrison runs both Fun Mac (Olivier Peslier) and Vent De Force (Christophe Soumillon). The one they all have to beat is the Freddy Head-trained Travelling Man.

MAISONS-LAFFITTE

SUNDAY

Prix Robert Papin (Group 2)

Selection: HEARTACHE

Next best: De Bruyne Horse