'The ground would be a concern' - can Ombudsman extend his unbeaten run to four in Prix du Prince d’Orange?

There are four Group 3 races on the undercard of the Prix du Moulin all with British or Irish interest, not least the Prix du Prince d’Orange (12.58), which includes the unbeaten John and Thady Gosden-trained colt Ombudsman.

The son of Night Of Thunder is back in France only a month since his dominant display in the Listed Prix Nureyev at Deauville, which brought up his hat-trick after novice wins at Newmarket and Leicester.

The Godolphin-owned Ombudsman has big shoes to fill as the 1m2f contest has been won in the blue colours by subsequent Group 1 winners Prince Bishop (2010) and Ghaiyyath (2018).

John Gosden said: “Ombudsman is in good form but there aren’t that many races for him and it was either this or carry a penalty in a Listed race. It looks like it could be a Group 2 race judging by the strength of the turnout, but we’ve been happy with him at home since Deauville."

At the latter track, Ombudsman encountered good ground and it could well be slower than that come post time.

Gosden added: “The ground would be a concern but if he handles it there is no reason why he can give another good account.”

Further British interest in the eight-runner contest is provided by Meydaan, who is on a retrieval mission after finishing last of four in the Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood last time.

Meydaan: winner of the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood Credit: Alan Crowhurst

The son of Frankel may not have stayed the 1m4f that day and connections hope the drop back in trip will play to his strengths.

Before his Goodwood effort, the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained colt had won a Listed race over 1m3f at Goodwood and finished fifth in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot over 1m6f.

Ed Crisford said: “It looks a very hot race for a Group 3 but we hope Meydaan will do better back in trip and around a more conventional track. He’s been pleasing us at home and it will be interesting to see how he gets on.”

Wathnan Racing provide the main home opposition by fielding three runners, including the Prix du Jockey Club second First Look, acquired by the Qatari operation before his subsequent fourth to Jayarebe in the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The British are also two-handed in the following Group 3 La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte (1.33) over 1m2f, including Certain Lad, a Listed winner at Compiegne when last in France in June, since when he has finished second in the Group 3 Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor.

The return to ease in the ground is expected to suit the William Haggas-trained Al Mubhir, last seen finishing third in the Group 3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock last month.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum, owner of Al Mubhir said: “The ground might have been a bit quick for him at Haydock and I expect a mile and a quarter on soft to be better for him.”

Dermot Weld's Harbour Wind and Ralph Beckett's River Of Stars run in the Group 3 Prix Gladiateur (3.25) over just short of two miles. Harbour Wind is back in France for the first time since his second in the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay over the same course and distance a year ago.

In the opening Prix La Rochette for two-year-olds, Joseph O'Brien runs Midnight Strike, who was fourth in the Ballyhane Stakes at Naas last time out.

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