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

The stage is set for an exciting day of racing at ParisLongchamp, accompanied by domestic events at Ffos Las. The highly anticipated Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp features a thrilling 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 defeated by Diamond Necklace in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc Day, she is expected to set the standard upon 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 made significant progress over the winter to bridge the gap. Currently, both horses 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 an impressive third-place finish in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile. All attention will be focused on Nighttime as he puts his Classic claims to the test in the Group 3 Prix de Fontainebleau at 2:50 pm. The Christopher Head-trained colt scored three wins in five starts as a two-year-old and concluded the season with an excellent second-place finish behind Puerto Rico in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, earning him favorite status and a likely advantage with the step up to a mile. Regal Resolve poses the main threat from the dominant Francis-Henri Graffard yard, having been supplemented for this race with two wins in three starts on the all-weather at Chantilly, deserving a chance at this higher level. Elastic, with a recent Listed win at Saint-Cloud, holds a fitness edge 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 last season with Newton Tornado, presents Doujadou, who has shown promise and is expected to improve with racing. Into The Blue, an intriguing newcomer from the Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville partnership, boasts an impressive pedigree and warrants market attention. The Sam Thomas-trained Knead A Win, top-rated on a mark of 122, has solid claims if fit after an absence. The Group 3 Prix Noailles at ParisLongchamp has seen notable winners, including Calandagan in 2024, with Spece Waltz favored for 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 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.