Fabre Threat

FABRE THREAT 
Newmarket's G1 Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot S. is no stranger to French invasion, with Siyouma (Ire) (Medicean {GB}) and Sahpresa (Sahm) accounting for four of the last five renewals between them, and today's edition could easily go across the channel with a trio of Andre Fabre starlets in the line-up. They include two top-level scorers in Baron Edouard de Rothschild's Esoterique (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and Ballymore Thoroughbred Ltd's Miss France (Ire)(Dansili {GB}), who were first and second, respectively, in the G1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville Aug. 3. It is surprising therefore that they are overshadowed in the betting by their stable companion Fintry (Ire) (Shamardal), but such was the impression that Godolphin's representative gave on her last start that it is hard to argue with the bookmakers. Emerging from an illness-induced rest in Sandown's G3 Atalanta S. Aug. 30, the bay overcame rustiness and a penalty as a result of her prior win in the June 1 G2 Prix de Sandringham to score with ease. Miss France has the advantage of track experience, having won the G1 1000 Guineas over this trip at Newmarket May 4 before finishing fifth over 10 1/2 furlongs in the G1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly June 15, and second to Esoterique in the Rothschild. Esoterique was subsequently fourth to Charm Spirit (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp 20 days ago and a case can be made for any of the trio. “I have saved Miss France for this race, she is fresh and in very good shape and we know from her 1000 Guineas win that she enjoys the Rowley Mile,” Fabre told PA Sport. “We have decided to take advantage of the weather and the good ground with Esoterique, who could afterwards go on to the Breeders' Cup or to Japan. She was a bit unlucky to be drawn wide in the Prix du Moulin and was left with a lot of ground to make up. She could have won, as she is in the same league as the three horses that finished in front of her. Fintry won a Group 2 in the spring before she was affected by a virus. She needed the race at Sandown last time, but was still good enough to win and is a very easy ride–she can make the running or come from behind.” 
Second to Esoterique in the G3 Dahlia S. over nine furlongs here May 4, Cheveley Park Stud's Integral (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}) was a surprise third behind her in the Rothschild having shone when winning the G2 Duke of Cambridge S. at Royal Ascot June 18 and G1 Falmouth S. on the July Course here July 11. The Stud's Managing Director Chris Richardson told PA Sport, “Integral bruised her off-fore foot during the Rothschild and was not sound afterwards. That, combined with it being a messy race where the four-runner field split in two, was the reason for her not performing as we expected. We have given her plenty of time since then and we intentionally missed the [G1] Matron S. to get her ready for this. I watched her work on Saturday when she went nicely and looked to be right on target.” 
Last year's winner Sky Lantern (Ire) (Red Clubs {Ire}), who also captured the 2013 G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Coronation S., needs to rediscover old glories after fifth placings behind Integral in both the Duke of Cambridge and Falmouth, but trainer Richard Hannon is receiving all the right signals at home. “We have been very patient with her, waiting all summer for her to come back to herself, and this past month she has suddenly come alive in the mornings,” he explained. “She seems to really enjoy the fabulous grass gallop up at Everleigh and we have really been pleased with her recent work.”