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

A thrilling day of racing is ahead at ParisLongchamp, complemented by domestic action from Ffos Las. The highly anticipated Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp features a notable showdown between the exciting pair Green Spirit and Narissa. Trained by Christopher Head, Green Spirit made significant strides 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 on Arc Day, she sets a high 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, needs to have progressed over the winter to bridge the gap. Both are currently 8/1 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 following a superb third-place finish in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile. All eyes will be on Nighttime as he tests his Classic credentials in the Group 3 Prix de Fontainebleau. The Christopher Head-trained colt had a successful two-year-old campaign, scoring in three of his five starts and finishing with an excellent second behind Puerto Rico in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, earning him favoritism here. The step up to a mile is expected to suit him. Regal Resolve poses the main threat for Francis-Henri Graffard's yard, having won two of his three starts, including a pair of all-weather races at Chantilly, and deserves a chance at this higher level. 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, featuring Doujadou and Into The Blue among 11 contestants. Rebecca Curtis, who won this prize last season with Newton Tornado, presents Doujadou, who has shown promise and is expected to improve with more racing experience. Into The Blue, a newcomer trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Nico de Boinville, is notable due to his pedigree, being related to Rajhani Express. Knead A Win, trained by Sam Thomas, is top-rated but needs to prove fitness after a layoff. The Group 3 Prix Noailles at ParisLongchamp has a history of stellar winners and this year features Spece Waltz, well-fancied 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 choices for the Listed Prix Lord Seymour, with James Doyle riding the former. On the domestic front, the progressive Manigod could be the one to beat in the Tommy Williams Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Ffos Las.