Derby season in Longchamp

Longchamp, Sunday 16 April: Two mile tests at Group 3 level for three-year-old stallions and mares are the highlights of today`s event in Longchamp, where the first of a total of 26 seasonal events will be staged.

In the `strong sex` Prix de Fontainebleau (4th race/15.50/80,000 Euro/1600 m), American Flag (Christophe Soumillon), who is currently winning at Saint-Cloud, should finish well in front. Victoria Road (Ioritz Mendizabal), sent from Ireland by Aidan O`Brien, who recently performed well in the Breeders` Cup (Group 1), and the unbeaten Rajapour (Cristian Demuro), prepared by Jean-Claude Rouget, are also among the closest favourites. Andreas Schütz is responsible for Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Mickael Barzalona). He has only won over sand so far.

The mares are under order in the Prix de la Grotte (5th race/16.25 h/80,000 Euro/1600 m). Among the top horses from Andre Fabre`s stable is Algolia (Maxime Guyon), who recently won against Prija (Alexis Pouchin) in Saint-Cloud. Autumn Starlight (Christophe Soumillon) and Oujda (Theo Bachelot) are in good form and, like Lindy (Cristian Demuro), who has not yet lost a race, are conceivable in the front line.