Al Shaqab Racing's older French horses have so far fared well in 2017 and following the notable exploits of Heshem (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) and Mekhtaal (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), the operation's Zelzal (Fr) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) bids to continue the momentum in Sunday's G3 Prix Bertrand du Breuil Longines at Chantilly. Last year's G3 Prix Paul de Moussac and G1 Prix Jean Prat winner was last seen finishing third in the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp here in September and, unlike stablemate Taareef (Kitten's Joy), escapes a penalty. The latter, who sports Shadwell's silks, picks up a four-pound extra burden after capturing the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein over this course and distance in October, having also won the nine-furlong G3 Prix Daphnis at this venue in June. Last year's G3 Prix Quincey and G3 Prix Perth winner Siyoushake (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) was a disappointment when last of 10 in the May 1 G2 Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud on her seasonal bow, but has subsequently been freshened up by Freddy Head.
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