Chantilly today

Chantilly today stages the first of its big summer Sunday meetings, featuring 3 Group Two races. The Grand Prix d Chantilly over 2400 metres at 16.05 has attracted a weaker field than usual, and injured German hope Adlerflug would undoubtedly have had a big chance here. The much-improved Magadan (Elli Lellouche/ Antony Crastus) is now likely to start a hot favourite, although there is not much between him and Ideal World (André Fabre/ Stephane Pasquier). The Prix de Sandringham for 3yo fillies over a mile at 15.30 is a trial for the Diane here in 2 weeks time. German-owned Regane (Alain de Royer-Dupré/ Gerald Mossé) looked smart when winning first time out, but faces stiff opposition from Entre Deux Eaux (Robrt Collet/ Christophe Soumillon), Homebound (Jean-Claude Rouget/ Christophe Lemaire) and Celebra (Carlos Laffon-Parias/ Olivier Peslier). The Prix du Gros-Chene over 1000 metres at 16.40 is a rematch between Marchand d´Or (Freddie Head/ Davy Bonilla) and Equiano (Barry an d Michael Hills), first and second here last year.

Marchand dÓr is theoretically the best horse in the field, but has flopped disastrously his last 3 starts, including at Longchamp last time when well behind German challenger Mood Music (Mario Hofer/ Maxime Guyon), who was awarded the race in the stewards room. With runners from 4 countries, this is a very open affair, and maybe Tax Free (David and Adrian Nicholls) can score. Other German runners here are Adamatinos (Erika Mäder/ Thierry Steeger) in the 1200 metres race for "gentleman-riders" at 14.10, Grazilla (Andreas Trybuhl/ Jerome Lermyte), who has bottom-weight in the mares handicap over 2200 metres at 14.50, Kazoma Kate (Manfred Weber/ Jean-Michel Breux) in the second division at 18.20, and Nanigata (Werner Baltromei/ Flavien Prat) in the mile claimer at 17.45.