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

The stage is set for an exciting day of racing at ParisLongchamp, complemented by domestic action from Ffos Las. The highly anticipated Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp features a thrilling matchup 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 beaten by Diamond Necklace in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc Day, she is expected to set the standard on her return, ridden by Maxime Guyon. Narissa, who has consistently finished behind Green Spirit, including a third-place finish in the aforementioned Group 1, will need to have improved 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, who ran an impressive race when third in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile, cannot be overlooked for trainer Karl Burke. All attention will be on Nighttime as he puts his Classic claims on the line in the Group 3 Prix de Fontainebleau. The Christopher Head-trained colt scored on three of his five starts as a two-year-old and finished the campaign with an excellent second behind Puerto Rico in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, making him the likely favorite. Today's racing action also includes the Greenham Stakes at Newbury, where Zavateri and Albert Einstein are set to clash. Regal Resolve poses the main threat to Nighttime for the Francis-Henri Graffard yard, having won two of his three starts. Elastic, who won a Listed contest at Saint-Cloud last month, has a fitness edge over his rivals, while Campacite has top-level placed form for Jean-Claude Rouget. A competitive field is expected in the Amroth Bay Static Caravan Sales Maiden Hurdle, featuring Doujadou and Into The Blue among 11 entries. Doujadou, trained by Rebecca Curtis, has shown promise and is expected to improve with racing. Into The Blue, an interesting newcomer for the Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville combination, boasts a notable pedigree. The Sam Thomas-trained Knead A Win is top-rated but needs to prove fitness after an absence. The Group 3 Prix Noailles at ParisLongchamp has a rich history, with Spece Waltz well-fancied for Andre Fabre, while Joseph O'Brien's Hardy Warrior is of interest. On home soil, the progressive Manigod could be the one to beat in the Tommy Williams Memorial Handicap Hurdle at Ffos Las.