Green Spirit and Narissa Set to Collide in the Prestigious Prix de la Grotte

The stage is set for a thrilling day of racing at ParisLongchamp, accompanied by domestic events at Ffos Las. A highly anticipated clash between the talented duo Green Spirit and Narissa is on the cards in the esteemed Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp. Trained by Christopher Head, Green Spirit made remarkable progress last season, winning her first four starts, including victories at Group 3 and Group 2 levels. Although she was defeated by Diamond Necklace in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc Day, she is expected to set the standard on her return, ridden by Maxime Guyon. Narissa, who trailed Green Spirit on three occasions last year, including a third-place finish in the aforementioned Group 1, will need to have improved over the winter to bridge the gap. Currently, the pair are 8/1 favorites for the French 1000 Guineas. Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, who has won the last two renewals of this race, also fields Anashkaya, partnered with Christophe Soumillon. Evolutionist, trained by Karl Burke, cannot be overlooked after a superb performance in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile. All attention will be focused on Nighttime as he puts his Classic credentials to the test in the Group 3 Prix de Fontainebleau at 2:50 pm. The Christopher Head-trained colt achieved three wins in five starts as a two-year-old and concluded the campaign with an impressive second-place finish behind Puerto Rico in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. This form warrants his position as the favorite, and the step up to a mile is likely to suit him. Regal Resolve poses the main threat for the dominant Francis-Henri Graffard yard, having won two of his three starts, including a pair of lesser races on the all-weather at Chantilly, and deserves a chance at this higher level. Elastic, who claimed a Listed contest at Saint-Cloud last month, holds a fitness advantage over his rivals, while Campacite boasts top-level placed form for Jean-Claude Rouget. A competitive Amroth Bay Static Caravan Sales Maiden Hurdle features Doujadou and Into The Blue among a field of 11. Rebecca Curtis, who won this prize with Newton Tornado last season, presents Doujadou, who has shown promise and is expected to improve with racing. Into The Blue, a newcomer from the Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville combination, boasts an attractive pedigree and should be monitored in the market. The Sam Thomas-trained Knead A Win, top-rated on a mark of 122, has solid claims if fit enough after a break. The Group 3 Prix Noailles at ParisLongchamp has seen notable winners in the past, including Calandagan in 2024, and this year, Spece Waltz is well-fancied for Andre Fabre, while Joseph O'Brien's Hardy Warrior is of interest from a home nations perspective. Map Of Stars and Marquisat are likely to be popular among bettors for the Listed Prix Lord Seymour at 4 pm, with James Doyle riding the former for Wathnan Racing. On home soil, the progressive Manigod could be the one to beat in an open-looking Tommy Williams Memorial Handicap Hurdle at 3:50 pm at Ffos Las.