Moonlight Cloud takes on eight other individual Group One winners in what may be the race of the season in Sunday’s Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.
Established as Europe’s top sprinter after finishing just a head behind Black Caviar and running away with the Prix Maurice de Gheest for the second year in a row last weekend, Freddie Head’s filly now meets the cream of the milers.
They include Excelebration, unable to manage the hopeless task of defeating Frankel but successful at the top level in the Prix du Moulin, Dubai Duty Free star Cityscape and Most Improved, who returned to form with a bang in the St James’s Palace Stakes.
William Buick stays loyal to Fallen For You over John Gosden’s other runner Elusive Kate, who will be ridden by Frankie Dettori.
Andre Fabre’s highly-regarded Golden Lilac and Immortal Verse, who toppled Head’s mighty Goldikova in last year’s renewal of the Normandy track’s feature race, are also engaged.
Immortal Verse appeared in need of her comeback run when behind Elusive Kate and Golden Lilac in the Prix Rothschild.
Head is unconcerned about Moonlight Cloud tackling a mile (1600m) for just the second time. She was only seventh in last year’s 1000 Guineas on her other attempt.
“It’s going to be a tough race, it’s a top-class Group One and I don’t worry about the distance – I think she will get the distance,” Head said.
