Jockey change for Princess Zoe as star guns for another Group 1 at Longchamp

Princess Zoe devoured her breakfast on Monday morning after impressing Tony Mullins in her latest piece of work so it is all systems go for the Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp on Sunday where Seamie Heffernan will replace her suspended regular rider Joey Sheridan.

The grey mare, who began life in Ireland with a rating of just 64 in June, has turned into one of the success stories of the season and will bid for back-to-back Group 1 wins following her last-gasp victory in the Prix du Cadran on Arc weekend.

Betfair and Paddy Power make Princess Zoe their even-money favourite to achieve the feat and Mullins has said he could not be happier with his most treasured possession.

Mullins said: "How she felt this morning [Monday] was all that mattered. I knew she'd work well, but I was anxious about how she would recover after doing a big piece of work following the hard race she had the last day.

Seamie Heffernan takes the ride on Princess Zoe in absence of the suspended Joey SheridanCredit: Patrick McCann

"Everything seems to be absolutely perfect with her, so it's all systems go for Sunday now. We know she has the ability, so it is just about my ability to get her there in the best possible shape.

"The big worry all the time is the 21-day turnaround. It's a tall order coming on the back of a hard race over two and a half miles on heavy ground. We won't know for sure how if it has effected her until the final 100 yards of the race on Sunday."

With Sheridan unable to take the ride, Mullins has called upon a very experienced replacement.

The trainer said: "Seamie will ride. He has immense experience of Longchamp and I know the big day won't faze him. He was the rider with the most experience and we're thrilled to have him."

As always, Mullins has studied the race and he believes there is only one possible danger to Princess Zoe's remarkable winning streak stretching to six in a row - the three-year-old filly, Valia.

Mullins said: "I don't care what runs, but I would be wary of the bottom horse, Valia. She won at Longchamp on the same weekend as we did. She's by Sea The Stars and you just don't know how good she is. I'm hoping it will be tougher for a three-year-old filly to recover from a hard race on heavy ground than it will be for a five-year-old."

Read more

Varian adds Baradar while O'Brien names seven for final Group 1 of the season

What's on this week: Classic clues at Doncaster as Cheltenham and Aintree return

Circuit-breaker lockdown in Wales means further betting shop closures

'A marvellous man' - tributes paid to former jockeys' valet Pat Taylor

Ultimate Daily - our daily newsletters from Racing Post's experts, exclusive to the inbox of Ultimate Members' Club subscribers. To receive the newsletter subscribe at racingpost.com/members-club