Starman takes on Campanelle, Rohaan and Glen Shiel in Deauville cracker

Sunday: 2.50 DeauvilleLarc Prix Maurice de Gheest (Group 1) | 6½f | 3yo+ | Sky

Starman looked a sprinter with a huge amount to give when rallying from an unpromising position to sweep by his Darley July Cup rivals at Newmarket last month, and he has the opportunity to emerge as a rare dominant force at this trip.

Starman has the overall profile – lightly raced and only one career defeat – as well as the physique to break into the elite bracket, though the question he may need to answer is whether quick ground is essential to him producing his best.

This week in Deauville has been a typical blend of sunshine and showers along with a stiff breeze, so predicting conditions is not straightforward. There is the potential for more rain to make Saturday's good, good to soft in places even more testing.

Starman's sole career defeat came on treacherous soft ground on Champions Day in October, which connections felt was a contributing factor to his poor display.

Even if the rain does come in significant quantities, Deauville's flat six and a half furlongs at the start of the August meeting will ride very differently to Ascot.

Ultimately Starman might turn out to be ground-dependent but the fact Ed Walker and owner-breeder David Ward are keen to run suggests they feel there is a chance he can perform somewhere near his best, while future options at Haydock and Ascot offer little in the way of weather guarantees.

In terms of opposition, particular attention must be given to the raft of three-year-olds to whom he must give weight.

Laws Of Indices and Thunder Moon excelled here in the Prix Jean Prat and the winner in particular should have no problem dropping back half a furlong, though Olivier Peslier is unlikely to get such an easy time in front.

Rohaan has progressed to the point where he is the third highest-rated in the field but has to prove his July Cup run was all wrong.

In receipt of 8lb in sex allowance and weight-for-age, Campanelle brings the most dangerous profile, having won the Prix Morny here as a two-year-old and seemingly versatile regarding ground.

Course form suggests Lope Y Fernandez and the remarkable Brando may be overpriced given their exploits here.

Rain no worry for Ward and Campanelle

Wesley Ward is used to casting an anxious eye to the skies on his excursions to Europe but in the case of Campanelle – born and raised in Ireland – the weather presents far fewer concerns than with US-bred sprinters.

Having completed the Royal Ascot-Deauville double last year, Campanelle is looking to repeat the feat and Ward feels she is likely to come forward for her Commonwealth Cup success, which was her first start since the Breeders' Cup last November.

Campanelle (left) was awarded the Commonwealth Cup by the Ascot stewards after suffering interference from Dragon SymbolCredit: Harry Trump (Getty Images)

"Her breezes when she came back off that break were awesome and she ran fantastic at Ascot on her return," said Ward. "I’m looking for her to continue and I wish there was a race for her in America but everything is over five and a half furlongs. Six and a half or seven furlongs are ideal.

"We’re all systems go according to the feedback I’m getting from my assistant Melanie [Moliere], who was over with Campanelle last year. She says she has the same energy levels as then so we’re in good shape."

What they say

Tom Eaves, rider of Brando
He ran really well at Newmarket on ground that was probably a little quick for him. It was nice to see him back on song. The softer the ground the better for him, he's won and been placed in this race and if he has a nice pace to run at he should run well.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Lope Y Fernandez
He seems to be in good form and looked to come out of his last run at Goodwood well. Hopefully they don't get too much rain.

Hollie Doyle, rider of Glen Shiel
They've had some rain and he will thrive in those conditions, while the six and a half furlongs will suit him. I don't see why he won't run a huge race. He was only beaten two lengths in the July Cup on ground that really wasn't for him and I'm really hopeful.

Glen Shiel (dark cap) and Brando (far side) renew rivalry in Sunday's Prix Maurice de GheestCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Jerome Reynier, trainer of Marianafoot
He showed a better level of form when winning a couple of Group 3s and has had a prep run on the straight course at Chantilly with an eye to this race.

Ed Walker, trainer of Starman
He's in great nick and we'd be super confident on fast ground. The softer it gets, the more of a concern it becomes but it will have to be pretty bad for us not to take our chance. When he was beaten on Champions Day at Ascot it was very, very heavy and it's a different heavy there.

David Evans, trainer of Rohaan
I wouldn't say he was outclassed in the July Cup, it was just the way the race was run. He was stuck over the far side and I'd just write it off. This track and easier ground will suit him better. He seems in great form and is only going to keep on improving.

Ken Condon, trainer of Laws Of Indices
This looks a very good renewal but our horse goes there well. There's some rain forecast but he doesn't want the ground to be too much of an extreme either way – it was very heavy for him in the Commonwealth Cup.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Thunder Moon
He ran a good race in the Prix Jean Prat and we're happy with how he's been training since. This is a very hot race but hopefully he can run well. He's fairly versatile in terms of ground.

Stephane Cerulis, trainer of Ocean
We'll see whether he can go up another level against the best sprinters and there are five or six top horses in there. We don't know how much more there is to come from Ocean. He's in great shape.

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