'He loves it round Longchamp' - can Kinross reclaim his Prix de la Foret crown?

The Prix de la Foret holds unique status as the sole seven-furlong Group 1 contest in Europe, which propels it to a level races such as the Lennox, Park and City of York Stakes might dream of attaining. 

The intermediate trip means the Foret can often attract sprinters and milers, and leading contender Kinross has been mixing it between six and seven furlongs. He is at his best over the latter distance and was victorious in this race two seasons ago. His win over the trip in the Park Stakes at Doncaster last time should put him spot-on and he holds as strong a chance as any in the field. 

Kinross could manage only second last year, when Kelina came out on top. She reopposes and needs to be taken seriously. While the four-year-old has failed to reach the same heights since, excuses have emerged. She was too far back throughout the Moulin and was left with little chance of winning, so dropping back in trip is sure to suit. 

Victorious that day was Tribalist, who put in arguably a career-best performance, for all he was gifted an easy lead and had the complete run of the race. It is unlikely he will get that set-up again. 

Also holding chances for the host nation are Big Rock and Ramatuelle. Big Rock was a runaway winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in soft conditions on Champions Day last year, and while he hasn’t been in the same form this season, it is likely to be the first time he has had his conditions since Ascot. He could be hard to reel in from the front. 

Ramatuelle, meanwhile, has been running well all season and the drop down to seven furlongs looks a positive. She can go well. 

Of the other British raiders, Poet Master went off the same price as Kinross at Doncaster last time. Things didn’t go to plan, but a repeat of his success at the Curragh puts him firmly in the mix.
Analysis by Jonny Pearson

What they say

Karl Burke, trainer of Poet Master
He didn't run his race at Doncaster last time but thankfully he's got a good draw in stall one. It's a competitive race and, if he can finish in the first four, he'll have run very well. He loves soft ground.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Kinross
It's a deep Foret but Kinross is in really good shape and he has already shown he loves it round Longchamp.

Ralph Beckett: trainer of KinrossCredit: Edward Whitaker

Andre Fabre, trainer of Tribalist
There are too many runners on that course. He’s very fast and he’ll break well but the draw is a concern.

Maurizio Guarnieri, trainer of Big Rock
In Canada he finished well after missing the break. Unfortunately he may already have been thinking about his stallion career and turned to look at the horse next to him. I've thought for some time he could take a lead and he has worked towards that in the mornings with Christophe Soumillon and Cristian Demuro.

Yann Barberot, trainer of Beauvatier
The track might not be in the same condition by this race, with the inside perhaps quite worn by that stage, so I'm not too worried about being drawn wide. We're close to Tribalist, who will go forward, so we might end up following the right horses.  

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of River Tiber
Things just haven't gone to plan for him and he's got a terrible draw [stall 17], so it's going to be very hard for him here.

Andrew Black, owner of Breege
Unless she does something remarkable she's going to be retired at the end of the year, so we want to test her and find out if she’s good enough at this level. John and Sean [Quinn, trainers] are happy to put her in the race which means they feel she's as good as she's ever been. It was a fantastic performance last time and I think she's progressing.

Kieran Cotter, trainer of Matilda Picotte
She's in tremendous form. This is the time of year when she hits peak form and she's running over her optimum trip. If she comes back to her best, she will be bang there. She hasn't got a great draw but absolutely everything else is in her favour.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Gregarina
She probably needs plenty of rain to be seen at her best, but it would be great if she got some prize-money.

Christopher Head, trainer of Ramatuelle
I've been very pleased with her and it's extraordinary the way she keeps surprising us with her work. It's a huge field but she has a nice draw and Aurelien [Lemaitre, jockey] knows her well, so it's all coming together.
Reporting by Lewis Porteous

Read more of Sunday's previews:

12.55 Longchamp: 'This will be a different test' - will unbeaten Zarigana handle the heat of Arc day in the Marcel Boussac? 

1.30 Longchamp: 'We think he might be ready to run a career-best' - who is in good shape to take on Solario star Field Of Gold? 

2.05 Longchamp: 'Dominant' Bradsell out to complete Group 1 sprint hat-trick in Abbaye - but Believing camp have reason to hope she can reverse form 

3.20 Longchamp: 'We said if there's one race this season we want him to be bang on for, it's the Arc' - top trainers on their Longchamp contenders 

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