Green Spirit and Narissa Set for Showdown in Prix de la Grotte

A thrilling day of racing is on the horizon, with key events at ParisLongchamp and domestic action at Ffos Las. The highly anticipated Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp is set to feature a thrilling matchup between the talented Green Spirit and Narissa. Green Spirit, trained by Christopher Head, made a significant impact last season with four consecutive wins, including victories at Group 3 and Group 2 levels. Although she was beaten by Diamond Necklace in the Prix Marcel Boussac, she is expected to set the standard in her return, ridden by Maxime Guyon. Narissa, who has trailed Green Spirit on three occasions, including in the Group 1, will need to demonstrate improvement over the winter to close the gap. Both are currently at 8/1 for the French 1000 Guineas. Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, who has won the last two renewals of this race, also enters 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 on Nighttime as he tests his Classic credentials in the Group 3 Prix de Fontainebleau. Trained by Christopher Head, Nighttime had a successful campaign as a two-year-old, finishing with an impressive second place behind Puerto Rico in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. This form makes him a favorite, and the step up to a mile is expected to suit him. Regal Resolve poses the main threat from the Francis-Henri Graffard yard, having been supplemented for this race with two wins from three starts on the all-weather at Chantilly. Elastic, with a recent Listed win at Saint-Cloud, has a fitness advantage, while Campacite boasts top-level placed form for Jean-Claude Rouget. The Amroth Bay Static Caravan Sales Maiden Hurdle is competitive, with Doujadou and Into The Blue standing out in a field of 11. Doujadou, trained by Rebecca Curtis, has shown promise and is expected to improve with racing experience. Into The Blue, a newcomer from the Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville combination, has an attractive pedigree and should be watched in the market. Knead A Win, trained by Sam Thomas, is top-rated but needs to prove fitness after a break. The Group 3 Prix Noailles at ParisLongchamp has a history of stellar winners and this year features Spece Waltz, favored by Andre Fabre, and Joseph O'Brien's Hardy Warrior, of interest from a home nations perspective. Map Of Stars and Marquisat are likely to be popular in the Listed Prix Lord Seymour, with James Doyle riding the former for Wathnan Racing. On the domestic front, the progressive Manigod could be the one to beat in the Tommy Williams Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Ffos Las.