Natagora return draws closer

Leading 1000 Guineas fancy Natagora was put through her paces under big-race rider Christophe Lemaire on Tuesday as her scheduled reappearance draws closer.

Pascal Bary’s grey filly is the 8-1 third-favourite with Classic sponsors Stan James after a thrilling front-running victory in last season’s Cheveley Park Stakes.

However, she has not yet raced over distances in advance of six furlongs and will try her luck in a trial over seven in three weeks’ time.

Helen Barbe, who is Lemaire’s agent, said: “Christophe rode her this morning on the sand gallop in Chantilly and I think later this week she will be out on the grass. Everything went well and Christophe said he found her a lot more mentally laid-back.”

Barbe is very much involved with Natagora as her husband Patrick is the racing manager for the owner Stefan Friborg.

She continued: “The plan remains for her to go to Maisons-Laffitte for the Prix Imprudence on April 14 and then hopefully all systems go for Newmarket. Everyone is confident she will stay the trip.”