Nayyir heads Foret raid

Gerard Butler’s Nayyir heads a strong British challenge for the Group One Prix de la Foret at Longchamp on Sunday.

The six-year-old gelding is one of five British-trained runners declared for the seven-furlong contest.

Nayyir finished fourth in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot last time and despite having notched wins in Group Two and Three company, he is still yet to score at the highest level.

Hughie Morrison’s Pastoral Pursuits will be having his first crack in a Group One race after winning the Park Stakes at Doncaster last time and Steve Drowne retains the ride.

Somnus, winner of the Prix Maurice de Gheest, returns to France and he will be partnered by Michael Kinane who rode him to finish second in the Haydock Sprint Cup on his last start.

Monsieur Bond, who was fifth at Haydock, reopposes for Bryan Smart while Luca Cumani steps Le Vie Dei Colori back down to seven furlongs after a disappointing run in the Prix du Moulin.

The seven-strong line-up is completed by two home-trained runners, Denebola and Charming Groom.

Pascal Bary’s Denebola was fourth in the Moulin last time while the Freddie Head-trained Charming Groom finished behind Somnus in the Maurice de Gheest.