Victor Ludorum and Creative Flair bid for Chantilly G3 prizes

Classic winner Victor Ludorum and improving filly Creative Flair go for G3 honours at Chantilly, France, on Sunday.

Victor Ludorum (Mickael Barzalona) returns to a mile for the G3 Prix Messidor having posted two G1 victories over the same distance in the 2019 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and last year’s Poule d’Essai des Poulains.

The Shamardal colt has made two appearances for Andre Fabre this season, staying on to take third in the mile G2 Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud in May before coming home fifth over nine furlongs in the G1 Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp later the same month.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “Victor Ludorum is still on a comeback trail following an extended period of time off over the winter. He is in good form and we expect this to be another stepping-stone towards races later in the season.”

Creative Flair (William Buick) makes her G3 debut for Charlie Appleby in the nine-furlong Prix Chloe after making all for a brave win in the Listed Abingdon Stakes over a mile and a quarter at Newbury, UK, on Thursday, June 10.

She had subsequent G1 Falmouth Stakes winner Snow Lantern behind her when filling the runner-up spot in a York Listed race over a mile in May and made a successful start to her three-year-old campaign at Ascot in April.

Appleby said: “Creative Flair heads to France on the back of a nice win at Newbury and coming back slightly in trip isn’t a concern. She is quite a straightforward filly with some strong form this season and looks ready to take the step up to Group company.”

Meanwhile, Royal Crusade aims for a second G3 victory over six furlongs in the Hackwood Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

The Shamardal colt comfortably beat subsequent G1 winner Glen Shiel in the G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis at Deauville, France, in July, 2020.

He went on to make two six-furlong appearances in Dubai over the winter and was beaten less than three lengths when seventh in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup Night.

Royal Crusade (William Buick) also finished seventh on his first European start of the year for Charlie Appleby in the G3 Criterion Stakes over seven furlongs at Newmarket on Saturday, 26 June.

Appleby said: “Royal Crusade has been a little disappointing so far this year. We felt that stepping up to seven furlongs might suit in the Criterion Stakes but things didn’t work out for him. He has been going well at home and would be a strong contender if he could rediscover his form of this time last year.”

Royal Ascot winner Real World steps back up in class and trip on the same card for trainer Saeed bin Suroor in the Listed Steventon Stakes over a mile and a quarter.

The Saeed Bin Suroor-trained colt made an exciting transition to turf with a dominant victory under Marco Ghiani, who takes the ride again, in the Royal Hunt Cup last month.

Real World, a debut scorer over a mile and a quarter on the all-weather in October, started his year with three dirt appearances at the Dubai World Cup Carnival, headed by a battling third in the 10-furlong Listed Curlin Handicap.

Suroor said: “Real World won very nicely at Royal Ascot and worked really well earlier in the week. He won on his debut over this distance at Chelmsford City and we are looking for another good run, although it will be a tougher race for him.”

Familiar foes Althiqa and Summer Romance face each other for a fourth time this year in the G1 Diana Stakes over nine furlongs at Saratoga, US, on Saturday.

Appleby-trained four-year-olds finished first and second on their US debuts in the mile G1 Just a Game Stakes at Belmont Park on Saturday, June 5, when Althiqa collared Summer Romance close home for a three-quarter length success.

Althiqa (Manny Franco) also scored over a mile in the G2 Cape Verdi at Meydan, UAE, in January – a race in which Summer Romance faded to fifth.