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 at Ffos Las. The highly anticipated Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp features a thrilling matchup between 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 finished behind Green Spirit on three occasions, including in the Group 1, will need to have improved over the winter to close 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 a superb race when third in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile, cannot be dismissed 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 in 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. This step up to a mile is expected to suit him. Regal Resolve poses the main danger for the dominant Francis-Henri Graffard yard, having won two of his three starts, including a pair of lesser races on the all-weather at Chantilly. Elastic, who claimed a Listed contest at Saint-Cloud last month, has the fitness edge over his rivals, while Campacite is another with 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. Doujadou, a point winner who has filled the places in both starts over hurdles, is expected to improve with racing. Into The Blue is an intriguing newcomer for the Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville combination, boasting a pedigree related to Rajhani Express. 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 seen notable winners, including Calandagan in 2024. This year, Spece Waltz is well-fancied for Andre Fabre, while Joseph O'Brien's Hardy Warrior is of interest. Map Of Stars and Marquisat are likely to be popular 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.