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

A thrilling day of racing is on the horizon at ParisLongchamp, complemented by domestic events at Ffos Las. The highly anticipated Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp features a showdown between the dynamic duo Green Spirit and Narissa. Green Spirit, trained by Christopher Head, made significant strides last season with four consecutive wins, including victories at Group 3 and Group 2 levels. Although she was outperformed by Diamond Necklace in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc Day, she sets a high standard for 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 demonstrate improvement over the winter to close the gap. Currently, both are 8/1 contenders 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 on Nighttime as he tests his Classic credentials in the Group 3 Prix de Fontainebleau at 2:50 pm. The Christopher Head-trained colt had an impressive run as a two-year-old, scoring in three of his five starts and finishing with an excellent 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 likely to suit him. Regal Resolve poses the main threat from the dominant Francis-Henri Graffard yard, having been supplemented for this race after winning two lesser races on the all-weather at Chantilly. Elastic, with a recent Listed win at Saint-Cloud, has a fitness advantage over his competitors, 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 11 participants. Rebecca Curtis, who won this prize last season with Newton Tornado, presents Doujadou, who has shown promise and is expected to improve with racing experience. Into The Blue, an interesting newcomer from the Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville partnership, boasts a compelling pedigree and warrants market attention. The Sam Thomas-trained Knead A Win is top-rated and has solid claims if fit after an absence. The Group 3 Prix Noailles at ParisLongchamp has a history of stellar winners, including Calandagan in 2024, and this year, Spece Waltz is favored for Andre Fabre, while Joseph O'Brien's Hardy Warrior is of interest. Map Of Stars and Marquisat are likely to be popular among bettors for 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 open-looking Tommy Williams Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Ffos Las.