Permian
Permian

Permian bids for Grand Prix de Paris at Saint-Cloud


Permian goes in search of a coveted Group One victory in the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris at Saint-Cloud on Friday evening.

The Mark Johnston-trained colt has already struck twice at Group Two level, in the Dante and King Edward VII Stakes, with his only disappointing run coming in the Investec Derby.

He was supplemented for Epsom after his York success and connections have coughed up again to add him to this field.

"He came into the Derby as a fancied horse after his Dante win. He disappointed at Epsom, but bounced back in the King Edward. He won well that day and stays a mile and a half well," said jockey William Buick.

"He probably had the run of the race at Ascot, but he was still never going to get beat from a long way out.

"He was supplemented for the Grand Prix de Paris and if he can transfer his Ascot performance to Saint-Cloud, he must have a very good chance.

"He's uncomplicated and has got a great mind. He is probably a horse that could still be on the up.

"Although you have to respect this horses he's up against, there is certainly no standout horse in the field.

"On paper, from what we know so far, it's not the strongest Group One, but sometimes you say that and further down the line or later in the season, these horses go and prove to be Group One horses.

"Permian belongs in the race having won two Group Twos and the natural progression is to try and bag a Group One with him."

Johnston's son and assistant, Charlie, feels the time is right to give the son of Teofilo, owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, another crack at this high grade.

"We've come up short once in Group One company, but having won the Dante and the King Edward, he fully deserves his place in any Group One field now," he said.

"The first thing William said after he pulled up at Ascot was he was just a completely different horse (to Epsom).

"At home going into both races we thought we had him spot on. Something wasn't quite right at Epsom. Nothing came to light, but thankfully the horse bounced back in great style."

Representing the French arm of the Godolphin is Parabellum, who gets his big chance after winning a maiden by eight lengths over the same course and distance last month.

The son is trained by Andre Fabre, who has won this prestigious contest on Bastille Day a record 13 times.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: "Parabellum won his maiden over the same course and distance and is in good order at the moment.

"It is a big step up to Group One level but he has shown a decent level of form on all three of his starts so far.

"We are hopeful that he can run well but he is an exciting horse for the future whatever happens here."

Aidan O'Brien, successful with Scorpion in 2005 and Imperial Monarch in 2012, is triple-handed with Orderofthegarter, Venice Beach and Spanish Steps.

Alain de Royer-Dupre has won the race three times and runs Valamaz and Shakeel, both owned by the Aga Khan, this time.

The latter was runner-up to Ice Breeze in the Prix Hocquart and the Pascal Bary-trained winner will try to land the prize for the sponsors as he is owned by Khalid Abdullah, owner of Juddmonte Farms.

The third that day, the Nicolas Clement-trained Falcon Wings, is again in opposition.

The 10-strong line-up is completed by Mac Mahon, winner of the Italian Derby. Like Permian, Stefano Botti's unbeaten colt was a supplementary entry. 

Man On The Spot's verdict


Ryan Moore partners Orderofthegarter of the three Ballydoyle runners ahead of Chester Vase winner Venice Beach and Spanish Steps. The former went close in a Group 3 at Ascot last time but Permian’s success in a Group 2 over today’s trip at the royal meeting looks stronger form. Shakeel is preferred to stablemate Valamaz though Christophe Soumillon’s mount was narrowly beaten by Ice Breeze at Chantilly last time with Falcon Wings back in third. The unbeaten Mac Mahon puts his form in Italy to the test and PARABELLUM takes a big step up in class. But the latter won his maiden by eight lengths over course and distance last month and having sent out four of the last eight winners, it’s a good bet Andre Fabre considers his colt up to the task. 

Like what you've read?

Next Off

Sporting Life
My Stable
Follow and track your favourite Horses, Jockeys and Trainers. Never miss a race with automated alerts.
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Click HERE for more information

Most Followed

MOST READ RACING

We are committed to Safer Gambling and have a number of self-help tools to help you manage your gambling. We also work with a number of independent charitable organisations who can offer help and answers any questions you may have.
Gamble Aware LogoGamble Helpline LogoGamstop LogoGordon Moody LogoSafer Gambling Standard LogoGamban Logo18+ LogoTake Time To Think Logo