Pius may have French date

Antonius Pius has twice suffered misfortune at Longchamp this season but he may return to the French track on September 5 to contest the Netjets Prix Du Moulin.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt was disqualified from a Group Three contest there in April and then jinked right, throwing away an almost certain victory, in the Gainsborough Poule d’Essai des Poulains the following month.

The three-year-old son of Danzig has since been unsuccessful in the St James’s Palace Stakes (third) and the Darley July Cup (seventh).

He was last seen finishing fifth in the Cantor Odds Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, and his handler told the Racing Post of that run: “I thought he ran a very good race but things didn’t happen for him.

Confirming that he may go for the French Group One over a mile, he added: “He will probably have a little rest and then possibly be trained for the Moulin.”