The April 27 Prix Ganay (G1) at Longchamp is the first group 1 of the year in Europe. While Waldgeist and Sottsass both took the 1 5/16-mile race in their Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1)-winning seasons, it has recently reverted to its resting state: a chance for early birds to get a relatively cheap top-level success.
The 10-year average winning Racing Post Rating is a touch below 120, with the average field size being seven. So this year is fairly typical. Six run and the top-rated Map Of Stars posted an RPR of 122 when winning the Prix d'Harcourt (G2) here three weeks ago.
This might be an early group 1, but Map Of Stars has had a full prep for the race. In classic French style, he has run twice in advance of his big target, working up the grades. His record is five wins from six starts, most of them in lower grade races or big-race trials. This is his first crack in a group 1, and while it is hardly the Arc, it is still a competitive race.
The competition includes last year's Arc favorite, Sosie. He was fourth to Bluestocking in the Arc when last seen, having earned his place by winning the Grand Prix de Paris (G1) and Prix Niel (G2). His trainer Andre Fabre has won this race seven times. Five of them had been given a prep run, which Sosie lacks.
Half the field are British or Irish-trained. Higher Leaves won both of her starts in France last year, those wins coming in sex-restricted races at listed and group 3 level. This will ask more.
Al Riffa is sent far and wide in search of soft group 1s. He has been to France, the US, Britain, Germany, and Saudi Arabia in the last 12 months.
Royal Rhyme could be a similar type waiting to happen. He came up short last year in races like the Prince of Wales's (G1), Juddmonte International (G1), and Irish Champion (G1) stakes. He was third in the Champion when last seen and, if he is fit for this, a reproduction of that form would put him on course to go close again at the top level.
Wathnan Racing's advisor Richard Brown said the Prix Ganay will be "a hard watch" for the owner's retained jockey James Doyle, who misses the race with a broken collarbone.
He was on board the progressive Map Of Stars when the colt took a group 3 at Saint-Cloud and a group 2 at Longchamp for his new owners this spring, but Mickael Barzalona takes over in the saddle here.
"I'm gutted for James," Brown said. "He's very high on this horse and I'm sure it will be a hard watch for him, but we have a great relationship with Mickael (Barzalona). He rides for us if James isn't available and he knows the horse—he's a very able deputy!"
Map Of Stars, a listed winner under Barzalona last season, is making his group 1 debut and Brown said: "He's very exciting. We'll find out even more tomorrow, as it's a tight and very competitive field, and we're looking forward to it.
"James was very impressed with him last time. He has a good turn of foot. That means I wouldn't be unduly concerned if it turns into a tactical affair, and if there's loads of pace, he should be fine too. There shouldn't be too many excuses with the way the race works out, we've just got to find out whether he's good enough."
