Cloth Of Stars & Rare Rhythm feature on Chantilly undercard

G1 winner Cloth Of Stars and lightly-raced six-year-old Rare Rhythm go for G2 success in the Grand Prix de Chantilly, one of the supporting races on Prix du Jockey Club Day at Chantilly, France, on Sunday, 3 June.

Last year’s G1 Prix Ganay scorer Cloth Of Stars (Andre Fabre/Mickael Barzalona) lines up over a mile and a half at Chantilly, having chased home Enable over the same course and distance in Europe’s top middle-distance contest, the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, in October.

The five-year-old finished third to Hawkbill in the 12-furlong G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan, UAE, in March and steps back up in trip after filling the same position over an extended 10 furlongs in this year’s G1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp on 29 April.

Rare Rhythm (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) drops down in distance following two excellent efforts at Meydan in March that included an impressive win in the 14-furlong G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy and a staying-on third in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup over two miles.

The lightly-raced six-year-old son of Dubawi has won on five of his nine career appearances, including decisive victories on both of his starts last year - in a 14-furlong Listed handicap at York and the Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap over a mile and a half at Royal Ascot.

Cloth Of Stars and Rare Rhythm tackle five rivals in the Grand Prix de Chantilly headed by German G1 winner Dschingis Secret and last season’s Prix du Jockey Club runner-up Waldgeist.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin commented: “Cloth Of Stars confirmed to us that he is a true mile and a half horse in the Prix Ganay, when he galloped out really strongly.

“He continues to be in great form and we hope that he can gain another win. It’s a tough G2, but he doesn’t have a penalty for his G1 success last year.”

Charlie Appleby reported: “We feel that the drop back in trip is going to suit Rare Rhythm.

“He was very impressive when he won over a mile and six furlongs in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy, but I’m not sure that he quite saw out the two miles in the Dubai Gold Cup. “His homework has been good and it will be interesting to see how he gets on against some strong middle-distance opposition.

“He will be fine on the ground and should be competitive.”

Also on Sunday’s card, Dubawi filly Crown Walk (Henri-Alex Pantall/Mickael Barzalona) steps up markedly in class for the mile G2 Prix de Sandringham following an easy victory in a Saint-Cloud conditions race over the same distance on her first appearance in France on 14 May.

She faces six other three-year-old fillies including Poule d'Essai des Pouliches seventh Ellthea, 1000 Guineas fifth Altyn Orda and Maisons-Laffitte maiden winner Blue Valley.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin added: “Crown Walk is taking a big step up in class, but she won nicely on her first appearance in France, when she came up against a strong field.

“We had the choice of a Listed race or running her in this and, given that she has plenty of experience, her trainer felt that this would be a good option.

“She is in great form and we hope that she can run well.”