Jalmoud ready for G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes challenge

Jalmoud looks to provide Charlie Appleby with a second successive victory in the G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York in UK on Wednesday. The trainer recorded a notable one-two in the 12-furlong contest for three-year-olds in 2018, as subsequent G1 Dubai Sheema Classic winner Old Persian edged out Cross Counter, who went on to capture the G1 Melbourne Cup.

Jalmoud has acquitted himself well at G1 level this season, having kept on to finish third in the Grand Prix de Paris over a mile and a half at Longchamp in France on July 14.

He also ran good races in France when coming home second in the 10-furlong G2 Prix Eugene Adam at Saint-Cloud at the end of June, and winning a Listed race over a mile and a half at Longchamp in May.

On his latest appearance, the New Approach colt faded to seventh after making the running in the 12-furlong G3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood on Aug. 1.

Jalmoud, with William Buick in the saddle, faces four rivals headed by the first two from the Gordon Stakes – Nayef Road and Constantinople – plus Logician, who is unbeaten in three starts.

Charlie Appleby said: “Jalmoud has a bit to find with a couple of runners who finished in front of him in the Gordon Stakes but we feel that the galloping course at York will suit him better.

“A mile and a half is his optimum trip and a reproduction of some of his form in France this season should make him competitive.”

In July, Jalmoud acquitted himself well on his G1 debut when taking third in the Grand Prix de Paris, with Roman Candle finishing fourth in the 12-furlong highlight at Longchamp.

Three-year-old colt broke well and raced in a clear second behind Western Australia, as Roman Candle (Andre Fabre/Mickael Barzalona) settled in fifth of the eight runners.

Jalmoud stayed on to briefly press for the lead with a furlong and a half to race and battled away as Japan went clear inside the final furlong but was passed by Slalom in the closing stages to go down by a length and a quarter in total.

Roman Candle, a three-year-old son of Le Havre, progressed to fourth entering the final furlong and galloped out well to come home a neck behind Jalmoud.

Japan beat Slalom by half a length in 2m 27.07s on good to soft ground.

Charlie Appleby commented: “We were delighted with the performance of Jalmoud, who has put up a career-best performance.

“We came here hoping to get a G1 placing and we have achieved that, which is great.

“James Doyle said afterwards that a mile and a half is definitely Jalmoud’s best trip and we will look to keeping him over this distance now.

“We have given Jalmoud three quick runs now but he has taken them well, so we will see how he comes out of this race.”

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “Roman Candle ran a really good race and will have some nice opportunities over a mile and a half later in the year.

“He is horse who really appreciates this trip and we feel that he will act better on softer ground. “We will wait and see how he comes out of this race before deciding any future plans.”

Meanwhile, another Godolphin’s horse, Journeyman was demoted to second by the stewards for causing interference in the 10-furlong G3 Canadian Derby on dirt at Century Mile in Canada on Sunday.

The three-year-old son of Animal Kingdom, making his Pattern debut for trainer Eoin Harty, was slightly impeded leaving the stalls but soon recovered to race in third on the outside of the field after the first quarter-mile.

He moved up to hit the front under Dane Nelson with three furlongs left and was challenged for the lead by Explode at the top of the straight.

Journeyman held on gamely to pass the post a neck in front, but drifted out into Explode throughout the final furlong and a half, making contact several times as the duo pulled clear of the field. Following an objection by Explode’s jockey, the stewards reversed the first two placings.

Eoin Harty said: “Obviously, it is disappointing to get demoted in the stewards’ room but Journeyman has run another fantastic race.

“He is a nice horse and I am hoping to take him to Kentucky Downs for the Dueling Grounds Derby (Listed, 1m 2f 110y, Sunday, 8 September). I think he prefers racing on turf, so he could well head there providing he comes out of this race in good shape.”