Prix Morny preview: What the trainers say

The rider attempts to give Richard Fahey and Christophe Soumillon back-to-back wins in Sunday’s Prix Morny at Deauville.

Just like Perfect Power 12 months ago, The Ridler is keen to complement success in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

While Perfect Power was beaten between heats in the Richmond Stakes, The Ridler has been kept fresh since a controversy-shrouded Ascot win, with its jockey Paul Hanagan receiving a 10-day suspension for careless driving.

Soumillon takes the saddle this weekend and Fahey is hoping his charge can prove his shocking 50/1 win in Berkshire was no fluke.

“He’s doing very well. Christophe rides him, I really wanted to wear him. He knows the track very well and is a world-class jockey,” said the Musley Bank handler

“I think that (moving up in the ride) will help him, he ran through the line at Ascot over a very stiff five. I just think the further he goes the better he gets. He has to move up, we’re better in the class, but we’re very happy with him.”

Aidan O’Brien, who has won the Prix Morny three times but has not claimed gold since Johannesburg’s success in 2001, fires a double attack The Antarctic supplemented to join the Stablemate black beard.

Blackbeard was a surefire winner when the pair met at the Prix Robert Papin in Chantilly, but The Antarctic has since returned to France to win the Prix de Cabourg over that course and distance.

O’Brien said: “We have those two and they competed at the Papin.

“We always thought The Antarctic was a very good horse, so we added him. He just needs a little time to come but he’s getting better.

“Blackbeard is in good shape, we’ve been very happy with him since the last day and Ryan (Moore) is riding him again.

“Both have been very busy this season. They shouldn’t mind the ground, no matter which way.”

Winner of the July assignments Persian power was last seen top of the pack behind O’Brien’s enormously impressive stallion, Little Big Bear, in the Phoenix Stakes at Curragh two weeks ago. He will have a new driver, with Frankie Dettori taking over from Rossa Ryan.

Coach Richard Hannon said: “The race has gone well and hopefully it’s a good opportunity for him. I was amazed at that race in Ireland – I was blown away that something could beat him that far. He is a very good horse and hopefully he can show it on Sunday.”

With no French-trained runner in the lineup, the small but select field is completed by Amy Murphy’s filly Manhattan Jungle, who was beaten by The Antarctic in the Prix de Cabourg.

“It’s a very tough race, but we thought it was worth a try,” said Murphy. “She is in great shape and had a great race there on the last day. Obviously The Antarctica has been added, which we think is a good thing, so we’ll see how we go about it.

“We’ll probably be the underdogs in the field and if she could make it into Group 1 that would be fantastic. We will ride her to make her run as well as she can.”

More from Sporting Life

Play safer

We are committed to safer gambling. Recommended bets are recommended for those over the age of 18 and we strongly encourage readers to only wager what they can afford to lose.

If you are concerned about your gambling please contact the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.

For more support and information, see begambleaware.org and Gambling Therapy.org.