The biggest change to Frances' most prestigious three-year-old race, the Prix du Jockey Club, occurred in 2005 when the distance was – controversially – reduced from 2400m to 2100m. After 17 running's of the race over the shorter journey this event has grown in both quality and stature. Apart from being a Classic, it is now one of Europe's most important Stallion making races.
This year's field again comprises of quality.
Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget has four outstanding chances, and he knows how to prepare a 'Jockey Club' winner having trained four winners including three from the past six running's of the race.
Al Hakeem is one of the most progressive horses currently racing in France. Victor of his past three outings, his course statistics are three starts for three wins at Chantilly. Latest attempt was at the beginning of May in a 2000m Listed race winning easily by 4L. This is a solid Jockey Club preparation.
HH Aga Khan has won the race on six occasions with the last victory being in 2006 with Darsi. This year he is represented by a very promising colt – Vademi. His record reads three wins from five starts and has continued to improve with each outing. Last time he won the Prix de Guiche G3 at this course over 1800m beating reopposing rival Machete. Notably, Machete was two lengths from Vademi at the 200m and whilst he stayed on, it was Vademi who was drawing clear at the finish. The extra 300m will suit.
Welwal finished sixth but staying on beaten 3L in the Poule d'Essai des Poulines (G1) over 1600m following his win in a 1600m G3 and completing the Rouget trained quartet is Lassaut who won his maiden at this course and last start was making up late ground in the aforementioned Poule d'Essai when beaten 2.75L into fifth.
Modern Games will be attempting to complete the Classic double of Poule d'Essai des Poulains-Prix du Jockey Club, a feat achieved by Shamardal, Lope de Vega, Brametot and last year St Marks Basilica. The Godolphin owned Charlie Appleby trained combination are in devastating form winning all three Classic Colts Guineas races this season (France, UK & Ireland). Winner of two G1 races – both over 1600m – Modern Games was staying on strongly at Longchamp and the extra distance should suit plus is well drawn in barrier 8. Modern Games will also have come on from that race, his first for six months.
Last years' winner St Marks Basilica gave Aidan O'Brien his first win in the race. This year his team comprises of The Acropolis and Ivy League. Coolmore also have the André Fabre trained Ancient Rome. Throughout his G1 career Ancient Rome has always run a forward race without winning. Placed in the Jean-Luc Lagadère, Critérium International and a good finishing fourth in the Poule d'Essai, his racing style would suggest a race of this distance would suit. On the dam side he is closely related to 2011 Epsom Derby winner Pour Moi.
The French trial races always throw-up runners that must be considered and this year the Fabrice Chappet trained Onesto is one of those horses. Winning his second race at his fourth start scoring in the Prix Greffulhe (G2) at St Cloud over the Jockey Club trip of 2100m, he surprised his rivals racing clear by 2.5 lengths.
British trained runners include the last start G1 placed Imperial Fighter and 1800m G3 winner at Chantilly as a two-year-old El Bodegon.
It should be a race to savour.
