Rio chasing French honours

Hopes are high in the Godolphin camp that Rio De La Plata, a Group One winner as a juvenile, can bag his first success at three in the Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly on Sunday.

The Rahy colt finished second behind Falco in the French 2000 Guineas on his first start this year before coming home seventh when upped considerably in trip for a crack at the Derby at Epsom.

Connections now feel the drop back to a mile in France will suit and are expecting a very big show with conditions set to suit.

“Rio De La Plata has been working well and is in good form,” said trainer Saeed bin Suroor.

“I was pleased with his run in the Vodafone Derby but the return to his best trip of a mile will suit him.

“He’s ready to go and has the class to win a race like this despite the tough opposition.”

Simon Crisford, Godolphin’s racing manager, is also looking forward to seeing Rio De La Plata drop back down in distance.

Crisford added: “I think Rio De La Plata will run a good race. He ran really well in the Vodafone Derby over a trip that was too far for him and his run in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains was very good from a bad draw.

“He will get his ground in France and he’s in good order and should be there or thereabouts,” he told www.godolphin.com.

Rio De La Plata will break from stall six in a competitive field of 16, which also sees the likes of Falco, Arcadia’s Angle, Raven’s Pass and Winker Watson flexing their muscles.