Manduro bids for Marois glory

Connections of Manduro believe Europe’s top middle-distance performer can demonstrate his versatility with victory in the Prix du Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday.

The five-year-old entire, trained by Andre Fabre, failed by just a neck to peg back Librettist over the mile 12 months ago during a season in which he was beaten in his last seven starts.

However, it has been a different story this term as he has chalked up a hat-trick of victories, albeit over further, culminating in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“He has obviously proved himself and deserves to be top-rated horse in Europe at the moment. He’s very versatile and the mile should not be a problem for him,” said Paul Harley, racing manager to owner Baron Georg von Ullmann.

“A few strides more and he would have won the race last year. He was only beaten a neck.

“The horse has gained a lot of confidence this year. Rather than being a bit unlucky and getting touched off, he’s done the opposite this year.

“He’s oozing with confidence and is where he deserves to be.

“The Royal Ascot form has worked out very well. He’s well, Monsieur Fabre is happy with him, which is the most important thing, and we have been pleased with his preparation. All we need now is a little bit of luck on Sunday.

“It’s very competitive, there are no easy Group Ones, and you have to respect all the opposition.”

His five rivals include French Derby winner Lawman and Stormy River, who was just over a length and a half behind Manduro in fourth place last August.

Manduro will have the services of a pacemaker, Toylsome, who was supplemented.

“He’s trained in Germany and I put him in as precaution to ensure there’s going to be a nice, even pace and not a typical French kind of race where it turns into a sprint,” added Harley.

Manduro is 4-7 for the Marois with Coral, who make him 50-1 to complete the unprecedented treble of the Marois, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and Breeders’ Cup Classic.

“Normally, talk of winning Group Ones over three distances and on two different surfaces would be unheard of, but if Andre Fabre believes Manduro is capable of such a treble, then we have to take it seriously,” said spokesman David Stevens.

“This horse is odds-on for the mile race, Andre Fabre’s Arc record is second to none, and he is the only European trainer to saddle a Breeders’ Cup Classic winner.”

Prix Jacques le Marois, Coral bet: 4-7 Manduro, 11-4 Lawman, 7-1 Turtle Bowl, 8-1 Stormy River, 66-1 Holocene, Toylsome.