Charyn v Notable Speech v Henry Longfellow - a mouthwatering Moulin with a tactical riddle

The assumption that small-field Group races in France can fall prey to becoming tactical 'sit-and-sprint' affairs is likely to be turned on its head in a fascinating Prix du Moulin which features three horses with a marked preference for going hard from the gate. 

The main attraction is the meeting of the generations between Charyn – whose wins in the Queen Anne and Jacques le Marois place him squarely on top when it comes to Europe's older milers – and Guineas and Sussex Stakes hero Notable Speech at the head of a strong challenge from the three-year-olds. 

Adding to the intrigue the owners of both principals have second strings who have traditionally been sent forward, with Godolphin fielding Tribalist and Nurlan Bizakov's Ramadan. It should be stressed that neither is a pacemaker and both are running on their merits. 

The unknown in all this is what Ryan Moore will elect to do on Henry Longfellow from stall one. A strong traveller in his races, Henry Longfellow could probably have done without the attentions of Sonny Liston when sent forward in the Sussex. 

Henry Longfellow (left) is edged out by Rosallion in the St James's Palace StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Drawn on the inside here with no cutaway rail to rely on up the straight, Moore may feel he has little choice but to sit handy to Ramadan and Tribalist, meaning that William Buick and Silvestre de Sousa will have to pay attention. 

Longchamp is not always a happy hunting ground for hold-up horses over a mile – especially if the ground continues to dry – but there is a danger the pace will be too hot at the front and those coming from behind will have the race set up for them.

Buick won't be changing his plans either way, since Notable Speech will be ridden for a turn of foot whatever happens ahead of him. On the evidence of what he did in little more than a furlong and a half at Goodwood, that burst of acceleration is a mighty weapon. 

This will be the softest ground he has encountered and if the forecast scattered showers were to turn persistent he would have an additional question to answer, although his drift with bookmakers relative to Charyn on Thursday and Friday looks to be severely overstating the concern he won't handle testing conditions.  

Charyn seems versatile in terms of tactics and ground and De Sousa will have the luxury of playing the race as it unfolds on a colt who is in a rare vein of form. 

Unlike for Buick, that luxury also comes with a finer calculation to be made as to where he positions himself relative to the leaders and chasers. His choices could be key to the outcome. 

Notable Speech out to maintain stellar season

There was a definite air of satisfaction displayed by Charlie Appleby after Notable Speech put right in the Sussex Stakes the inexplicable wrong of his seventh-placed effort behind Rosallion in the St James's Palace Stakes, the sole defeat on his excellent record.

His three starts on turf have come on good or good to firm, and Appleby admits he is slightly in the dark as to whether his 2,000 Guineas hero will be as devastating on ground on which Thursday's 25 millimetres of rain will have left its mark to some degree.

Notable Speech and William Buick winning the Sussex Stakes at Glorious GoodwoodCredit: Edward Whitaker

Appleby said: "Notable Speech is in great order. The unknown will be the going as they've had a lot of rain but they will be racing on a fresh strip of ground.

"I couldn’t be any happier with Notable Speech's wellbeing. He showed in the Sussex Stakes he was back to what we saw in the 2,000 Guineas. It’s going to be a very exciting race.

"Charyn looks our main opposition but it’s a strong field. We are excited to be part of it and hopefully Notable Speech can maintain his excellent year."

'He seems to be thriving' - Varian ready for Charyn's latest test

It took a career-best from the tearaway Audience to deny Charyn a first Group 1 success in the Lockinge and since then he has developed into a top-class miler, with decisive wins in the Queen Anne and Jacques le Marois. 

He will be making his sixth start of the campaign but Roger Varian is delighted with what he has seen since his latest start. 

"He came out of Deauville very well and we were able to make up our minds quickly about going for the Moulin because he looked in such good form," Varian said. "He's versatile groundwise, he seems to be one of those rare horses who goes just as well on fast ground as on soft."

Charyn won easing down in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville Credit: Edward Whitaker

Varian expects this contest to be the stiffest test of Charyn's season, but feels the four-year-old may have a little bit left up his sleeve.

"He's improving and he seems to be thriving," Varian said. "It would be foolish to think they're not having hard races at this level but he hasn't been fully extended on his last two starts occasion and had the comfort of easing down crossing the line."

"This will represent a very strong test with Charlie's horse and Aidan [O'Brien's] horse, and we respect the French runners as well. It's a tough race but he's in good order."

What they say

Andre Fabre, trainer of Tribalist
I gave him a little rest after his disappointing race in Deauville and he's now ready to run well. Obviously it's a difficult task but the timing is good ahead of the Prix Daniel Widenstein or Prix de la Foret.

Francois Rohaut, trainer of Caramelito
I didn't have a lot of options after discarding the Prix Quincey at Deauville. It's ambitious and on paper he doesn't have much chance, but he's in good form and has been working well. He's indifferent to ground. Theo Bachelot knows him by heart, the Daniel Wildenstein is four weeks from now, so at the very worst this is a good preparation for that.

Kelina getting the better of Kinross in last season's Prix de la ForetCredit: Edward Whitaker

Pierre-Yves Bureau, racing manager to Wertheimer & Frere, owners of Kelina
She prefers better going but it will be a fresh strip of ground and as long as it isn't heavy she shouldn't be disadvantaged. She adores Longchamp and she has already won once there at the highest level. It's only her third run of the year and this leads perfectly back to the Foret.

Christopher Head, trainer of Ramadan
We've had a high estimation of him ever since he arrived and we're really looking forward to this. He's been very genuine in terms of his results. It's a challenge, but I'm pretty sure he will produce a very nice run. He goes in every type of ground and shows a lot of speed.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Henry Longfellow
We could not believe what happened in the Sussex as the horse who went with him in front has always been held up. We got it wrong and we didn't see it happening. Poor Henry was lost and he didn't know what was happening, and it was one of those variables we couldn't control. We've aimed him at this since Goodwood and we're happy with him.

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