By Tom Frary
ParisLongchamp's G2 Qatar Prix Niel has sometimes created difficulties for its headline acts and that was the case again on Sunday as Peter Brant's Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) needed a large slice of luck to get the job done. Provided with an able pacemaker in Veronesi (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) and with only three genuine rivals, the stage seemed set for an ideal Arc warm-up from the returning G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero but that was far from the reality during the near 2 1/2 minutes of this trial. Trapped on the inside and desperately needing room in the straight, the 1-2 favourite only got it in the final 100 metres as Mutamakina (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) allowed him to split her and the pace-setter. Bursting through to register a 1 1/4-length success and relieve Cristian Demuro of a minor embarrassment, he had only another short neck to separate him and Ballydoyle's sighter Mohawk (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in third. “The plan was for the leader to open up the rail for him, but he broke slowly and had nowhere to go,” trainer Jean-Claude Rouget explained. “In the end, it may well have been a blessing in disguise as he didn't have a hard race. He'll go to the Arc now a fresh horse who will improve.”
Not since Nashwan was sensationally beaten by Golden Pheasant (Caro) in the 1989 edition has there been a serious upset in this, but Montjeu (Ire) was one of a few who have had to get out of jail in what can be a tactically tricky affair with one eye on the main feature three weeks ahead. Sottsass was at least able again to demonstrate the finishing acceleration that served him so well in the June 2 Chantilly Classic and the race was run in one of the faster times in recent history, but it is pure guesswork as to whether he can become the first Niel winner to go on to Arc glory since Rail Link (GB) in 2006.
Win or lose in the Arc, Sottsass has a bright future ahead of him as a half-brother to Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) who has become a massive presence in the States with six grade I victories including last year's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf. Also a half to My Sister Nat (Fr) (Acclamation {GB}) who took the 2018 Prix Bertrand de Tarragon, he is out of Starlet's Sister (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) whose dam is the G3 Prix Chloe runner-up Premiere Creation (Fr) (Green Tune). Her progeny also feature the G3 Prix Cleopatre winner Leo's Starlet by Galileo and the GI Clement L. Hirsch S. runner-up Anabaa's Creation (Ire) (Anabaa). This is also the family of the G3 Prix de Lieurey winner Sandy's Charm (Fr) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) and the G1 Sussex S.-winning champion miler and sire Noalcoholic (Fr) (Nonoalco). The dam's unraced 2-year-old colt by Charm Spirit (Ire) cost Oceanic Bloodstock €400,000 at Arqana August last year and is named Radiant Child (Ire), while she also has a yearling colt by Fastnet Rock (Aus) who David Redvers snapped up for €700,000 at the same auction last month. Her filly foal is by Dubawi (Ire).
Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
QATAR PRIX NIEL-G2, €130,000, ParisLongchamp, 9-15, 3yo, c/f, 12fT, 2:27.46, gd.
1–SOTTSASS (FR), 128, c, 3, by Siyouni (Fr)
1st Dam: Starlet's Sister (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Premiere Creation (Fr), by Green Tune
3rd Dam: Allwaki, by Miswaki
(€340,000 Ylg '17 ARAUG). O-White Birch Farm; B-Ecurie des Monceaux (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Cristian Demuro. €74,100. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Fr, 6-4-0-0, €978,900. *1/2 to Sistercharlie (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}), Ch. Turf Female-US, MGISW-US, GSW & G1SP-Fr, $3,207,003; and My Sister Nat (Fr) (Acclamation {GB}), GSW-Fr, $118,972. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Mutamakina (GB), 125, f, 3, Nathaniel (Ire)–Joshua's Princess (GB), by Danehill). (100,000gns Ylg '17 TAOCT). O-Al Shira'aa Farms; B-Widgham Stud (GB); T-Carlos Laffon-Parias. €28,600.
3–Mohawk (Ire), 128, c, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Empowering (Ire), by Encosta de Lago (Aus). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier & Michael Tabor; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €13,650.
Margins: 1 1/4, SNK, 3/4. Odds: 0.50, 5.10, 7.30.
Also Ran: Veronesi (Fr), Quest the Moon (Ger). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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