Palace Pier all set for French repeat bid as Mishriff tackles old foe at York

Britain’s highest-rated horse in training Palace Pier is reported to be in top order for his bid to win back-to-back runnings of the Group 1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday.

John and Thady Gosden’s leading miler will be tackling the Classic generation for the first time in France having been forced to miss last month’s Sussex Stakes at Goodwood with a blood disorder.

Palace Pier, who is unbeaten in three outings in 2021, is the 5-6 favourite to emulate French colt Spinning World, who was the last horse to win the straight-mile contest twice back in 1996-1997.

Last weekend, Frankie Dettori partnered the son of Kingman for the first time in many weeks in an impressive workout on the Al Bahathri Polytrack in Newmarket where he looked as good as ever when coming clear of a decent lead horse.

Thady Gosden said: “Obviously it was frustrating to miss the Sussex Stakes with Palace Pier but he seems to have come back to himself and Frankie was very happy with him when he worked him last Saturday. He’s on course for the Jacques le Marois rather than heading to York but it looks a competitive race with the likes of Poetic Flare in there.”

Palace Pier and Frankie Dettori: off to France again

A year ago, Palace Pier accounted for Alpine Star and Circus Maximus on heavy ground in France but conditions may be less demanding this weekend.

The joint-trainer added: “Palace Pier is pretty versatile as regards ground and we just hope he can run well again to set him up for the autumn.”

In Palace Pier’s absence, the Gosdens are to rely on Mishriff in next Wednesday's Group 1 Juddmonte International, in which he will face a rematch with St Mark’s Basilica, behind whom he finished third in the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown last month.

A 3-1 chance for York, Mishriff has since chased home Adayar in the Group 1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot and is back down in trip.

Thady Gosden said: “Mishriff has come out of Ascot in good shape and is pretty versatile as regards trip and ground so the plan is for him to take his chance on the Knavesmire.”

Read more

Richard Kingscote gives up Dascombe role to pursue opportunities with Stoute (Members' Club)

'It was something different' - Brooke wins Jersey Champion Hurdle on first trip

Alcohol Free 60:40 to challenge St Mark's Basilica in Juddmonte International

Francis Graffard retires last year's Arc runner-up In Swoop due to injury

Watch live races through the Racing Post. Log in to your bookmaker account and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here