Shadow of Light and The Lion In Winter were in the argument for most exciting juvenile heading into their 3-year-old season at the start of the campaign, but both arrive at Deauville for the July 6 Prix Jean Prat (G1) with question marks and on something of a redemption mission.
Godolphin's Shadow of Light took the Middle Park Stakes (G1) and Dewhurst Stakes (G1) on his way to being crowned European champion 2-year-old male, but possibly lacked for stamina in the Two Thousand Guineas (G1) when third and a length behind stablemate Ruling Court. He then failed to deliver on market expectations when sent off as a strong favorite for the Commonwealth Cup (G1) back at a sprint trip during Royal Ascot.
This intermediate 1,400-meter distance (about seven furlongs) of the Prix Jean Prat offers Shadow of Light, a son of Lope De Vega , a chance to make amends, though British trainer Charlie Appleby has expressed some concern over his participation on account of the ground, called good to soft July 5. There is rain in the forecast from Saturday evening into Sunday.
Appleby said: "Stepping back up to seven furlongs is a positive and hopefully the ground at Deauville will be a bit more forgiving. We will be on weather watch and a decision will be made on the day after we have had a look at the ground.
"I can't fault his preparation going into this and feel he's the horse to beat if he can run up to anywhere near the form of his Guineas third."
Unbeaten at 2, The Lion In Winter returned in the May 15 Dante Stakes (G2) at York, sent off the 8-11 favorite but beaten into sixth. He fared even worse in the June 7 Epsom Derby (G1), down the field in 14th and some 28 lengths off stablemate Lambourn, and takes a marked drop in trip as his connections have a rethink over his optimum conditions.
Trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "He drops back in trip for this race. We felt that the Derby was too far and we think this is a nice place for him to start back. He could end up returning to a mile after this."
The third contender from Britain and Ireland has fewer questions to answer on form this season, with Cosmic Year's unbeaten sequence only coming to an end because of the brilliant Field of Gold when racing in the Two Thousand Guineas at the Curragh.
Juddmonte's son of Kingman is well suited by seven furlongs, and trainer Harry Charlton has no concerns heading to France.
Charlton said: "He seems in good form and has enjoyed a good preparation. Cosmic Year ran a nice race in Ireland and is improving with every run. He got a bit far back off a slow pace at the Curragh, but was obviously beaten by a very good horse in Field of Gold. I'm very happy with him."
The field is completed by the Wertheimer et Frere-owned duo of Cacofonix and Silius, Juddmonte's second entry in Apollo Fountain, last-out Prix Texanita (G3) winner Woodshauna, and Maranoa Charlie and Daylight—the highest-rated 2-year-old colt and filly in France last season.
