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

A thrilling day of racing is on the horizon, with top-notch action unfolding at ParisLongchamp and Ffos Las. The highly anticipated Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp is set to feature a captivating clash between the talented Green Spirit and Narissa. Green Spirit, trained by Christopher Head, made a remarkable impact last season with four consecutive wins, including victories at Group 3 and Group 2 levels. Although she was outpaced by Diamond Necklace in the Prix Marcel Boussac, she is expected to set the standard on her return, with Maxime Guyon at the helm. Narissa, who trailed Green Spirit on three occasions last year, including a third-place finish in the Group 1, will need to demonstrate significant improvement if she is to bridge the gap. Currently, both horses are 8/1 favorites for the French 1000 Guineas. Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, who has claimed the last two renewals of this race, also fields Anashkaya, partnered with Christophe Soumillon. Evolutionist, trained by Karl Burke, cannot be overlooked after a stellar performance in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile. Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Nighttime as he puts his Classic credentials to the test in the Group 3 Prix de Fontainebleau. The Christopher Head-trained colt had an impressive two-year-old campaign, scoring three wins and finishing second behind Puerto Rico in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. This form makes him a strong contender, and the step up to a mile is likely to suit him. Regal Resolve poses the main threat, having won two of his three starts, including a pair of all-weather victories at Chantilly. Elastic, who claimed a Listed contest at Saint-Cloud, has 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 last season with Newton Tornado, trains Doujadou, who has shown promise and is expected to improve with racing experience. Into The Blue, a newcomer trained by Nicky Henderson, has an intriguing pedigree and should be closely monitored in the market. Knead A Win, trained by Sam Thomas, is top-rated but needs to prove his fitness after a layoff. The Group 3 Prix Noailles at ParisLongchamp has a rich history, with past winners including Calandagan in 2024. This year, Spece Waltz is a strong contender 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 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.