IRISH international participation today centres on Jessica Harington sending Ashdale Bob for the Grade 2 Prix la Barka (2.32pm) over two miles and five and a half furlongs at Auteuil today where the eight-year-old is the mount of Paul Townend in the nine-horse field.
Britain are represented by the Paul Nicholls raider Red Risk, a November Newbury handicap hurdle winner and last seen down the field in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham and the Sophie Leech-trained Lucky One, a Grade 3 winner here in April.
It’s a step down in class for the Harrington runner after being down the field in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and then fifth of seven to Klassical Dream in the Grade 1 at Punchestown. Also runner-up in top-level company behind Home By The Lee at Christmas, the Shantou gelding has good place prospects today.
Harrington also has a raider at ParisLongchamp tomorrow where Small Oasis (Tony Piccone) joins compatriot American Sonja (Christophe Soumillon), trained by Joseph O’Brien, in the Listed Prix Volterra over a mile.
Harrington’s filly was third last time to Honey Girl on the Group 3 Coolmore Stud Circus Maximus Irish EBF Athasi Stakes at Leopardstown.
American Sonja was a beaten favourite in a Group 3 at the same track when fourth behind Ger Lyons’ Zarinsk. That filly was only fourth in a Group 3 last weekend at Chantilly but the O’Brien filly could step up on better ground here.
Andre Fabre’s Frankel filly, Kamiyah, in the Ballylinch Stud colours looks the likely winner for stable jockey Bauyrzhan Murzabayev.