Rosallion Aims to Rebound Against Henri Matisse in Moulin Clash

Rosallion will seek redemption at the Qatar Prix du Moulin de Longchamp after a disappointing performance at the City of York Stakes. The four-year-old, trained by Richard Hannon, has faced a challenging season thus far, marked by narrow defeats in key races. This upcoming race marks his first return to France since winning the 2023 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

In recent outings, Rosallion has struggled to find his best form. After a lackluster run in the Lockinge Stakes, where he needed the race, he narrowly missed out in both the Queen Anne Stakes and the Sussex Stakes. His last race, the City of York Stakes, was particularly disappointing; he finished just a length behind the winner, Never So Brave, but never posed a serious threat throughout the contest. Despite these setbacks, confidence remains in his regular rider, Sean Levey, who will don the colors of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid.

Rosallion will face stiff competition from Henri Matisse, the French 2000 Guineas champion trained by Aidan O’Brien. The three-year-old will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon, stepping in for the injured Ryan Moore. Henri Matisse demonstrated promise earlier in the season, narrowly missing out against a strong Field of Gold at Royal Ascot, and he faced challenges in the Sussex Stakes due to interference from a pacemaker. With two runners representing O’Brien, Henri Matisse is well-positioned to make a significant impact.

Another competitor, Dancing Gemini, trained by Roger Teal, has also struggled since an impressive start to the season. The horse, ridden by Rossa Ryan, will look to regain form after disappointing results following a strong showing in the Lockinge Stakes. Despite initial promise, only one competitor from that race, Persica, has since secured a victory at Group 1 level.

The field is further bolstered by Quddwah, who holds each-way claims with Callum Shepherd aboard. Although he demonstrated strong staying power in the Prix Messidor, a significant improvement will be necessary to compete effectively in this race.

Whirl Seeks to Solidify Arc Credentials

The Qatar Prix Vermeille will showcase Whirl, who has gained momentum after a narrow defeat to stablemate Minnie Hauk in the Oaks. Trained by Aidan O’Brien, she arrives in excellent form, having recently triumphed in the Yorkshire Oaks. With total career earnings of over £731,452, Whirl is a strong contender for this race, having secured a four-win streak in Oaks competitions.

Her main rival will be Aventure, who finished second in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe last year. Connections hope to improve upon that performance, with Christophe Ferland targeting this Group 1 race as ideal preparation over a mile-and-four-furlong distance. Calandagan, who previously defeated Aventure in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, is another to watch as she seeks to regain winning form.

The field also includes Gezora, who impressed in the Prix de Diane by defeating Bedtime Story. She will aim for a career-best performance, while Survie and Ginalyah round out a competitive sextet.

Sosie and Los Angeles Battle in Qatar Prix Foy

The Group 2 Qatar Prix Foy will feature a showdown between former champions Sosie and Los Angeles, both eager to reclaim their places at the top. Sosie’s odds for the upcoming Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe plummeted after a lackluster showing in the Coral-Eclipse. However, his successful track record at ParisLongchamp, with four wins in five starts, should serve as a strong foundation under Maxime Guyon.

Los Angeles, who triumphed in the Tattersalls Gold Cup back in May, has experienced a dip in form and is currently viewed as a long shot for the Arc. Consistent performer Almaqam will also compete, having previously bested the esteemed Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes. ParisLongchamp may provide the ideal backdrop for Almaqam to secure a first Group 1 title.

The field will feature strong contenders including Map Of Stars and the Japanese horse Byzantine Dream, with Arrow Eagle and Iresine lurking as potential threats should any frontrunners falter.

In the Group 2 Qatar Prix Niel, Leffard emerges as the likely favorite, having demonstrated resilience in previous races. Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget is enjoying a successful streak, boasting a 33 percent win rate recently. Cualificar, who faltered after a promising start, will reunite with William Buick and aims to return to form.

As the horse racing scene heats up, fans can look forward to an exciting day of competition at ParisLongchamp, with multiple high-stakes races set to unfold.