Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt at Longchamp
Anodin is a full-brother to Goldikova, who was beaten two lengths by Zarkava in the French 1000 Guineas in 2008, while Intello’s dam, Impressionnante, was promoted to second in a controversial finish to the 2006 fillies’ Classic.
Both colts are owned by the Wertheimer brothers and will be taking a swift step up the ladder.
The Andre Fabre-trained Intello won the Listed Feilden Stakes over nine furlongs at Newmarket on his most recent outing, with Freddie Head’s Anodin winning a conditions race at Longchamp on his latest start.
Anodin has a favourable draw in stall eight, but Intello will have to contend with 17, something Pierre-Yves Bureau, racing manager to the Wertheimers, admits is not ideal.
“As you can imagine, we would have preferred a lower draw for Intello but that’s the game and we have to deal with it,” he said.
“It could have been worse, so we will see what happens on Sunday. It’s hard to know what will happen, but we would have preferred low draws for both of them.
“I think he had a nice run in Newmarket but the thing with both horses is that they have not been running against the top, top horses and this will be a big step up for them.
“Intello is dropping back in trip but I think there’s enough speed in his pedigree as his dam was a miler and his granddam was a sprinter, so that shouldn’t really be a problem.
“Anodin is a full-brother to the big girl (Goldikova) and a half-brother to Galikova and he’s a nice horse.
“He ran a nice race last time but it’s a big step from conditions company to Group One level.”
Goldikova may have missed out on Classic glory but she went on to win 14 times at the highest level, including three Breeders’ Cup Miles, and Bureau believes it would be hard to compare the siblings.
“I don’t think you can really compare him and Goldikova, only Freddie could do that. They both do their own thing and are very nice horses,” he added.
“The ground should be fine for them and we will see how they go.”
Aidan O’Brien is double-handed with Gale Force Ten and Flying The Flag.
Ryan Moore will be on Dundalk Listed winner Gale Force Ten while Colm O’Donoghue will be in the plate on Flying The Flag, who will be making his seasonal bow.
Joseph O’Brien has ridden both horses in the past but will have to forego a trip to France in order to ride leading Derby hope Battle Of Marengo at Leopardstown.
He said: “Gale Force Ten is a good horse and won nicely in Dundalk over seven furlongs.
“He’s stepping up to a mile now and there is a bit of a question mark, but hopefully he’ll run a good race.
“Flying The Flag won his maiden and was second to First Cornerstone in the Futurity, but disappointed after that.
“Hopefully he’ll come back and run a nice race.”
Richard Hannon fields Greenham winner Olympic Glory and Craven second Havana Gold while John Gosden sends dual all-weather winner Bright Strike.
William Buick partners Gosden’s charge and is delighted with his low draw.
He told www.attheraces.com: “The stall two slot on Bright Strike in a field of 18 increases my chance by 50 per cent in my view.
“On the face of it this is a massive leap for him having won a Lingfield maiden over seven then a Kempton handicap off the same mark of 84 over the same trip last month.
“But he’s a horse I like a lot and the boss wouldn’t send him for a race like this without a very good reason.
“Remember Gregorian a year ago? He would have been around the same mid-90s mark as Bright Strike and he went mighty close to winning despite being draw out wide in 12. “I have plenty of respect for Olympic Glory but he’s parked out in 12 and his stablemate Havana Gold is only one lower.”
