Darley Robert Papin Preview: Another trip for The Lir Jet

Winner of the 2020 Norfolk Stakes (Gr3) over 5 furlongs at Royal Ascot, The Lir Jet (Prince of Lir) will probably be the favourite of the four-way match which takes place this Sunday in the Darley Prix Robert Papin (Gr2), the first stage of the Darley Series before the Darley Prix de Cabourg (Gr3) and the Darley Prix Morny (Gr1) also run over 6 furlongs but in August at Deauville. 
Facing him are two French-trained runners. First Axdavali (Goken), beaten by Livachope in the Prix du Bois (Gr3) after making a big impression in a previous victory. Then an unbeaten filly, Tiger Tanaka (Clodovil), supplemented after having won four times, including three claimers.
Another supplemented entry from England rounds out the filed. It’s Ventura Tormenta (Acclamation), who has failed twice at this level yet but surely has plenty to show.

• 1. AXDAVALI (c2, FRA by Goken and Key Success, by Kodiac) Rating: 103lbs

Trained in Deauville, he is the first foal out of a maiden mare who ran four claimers without changing hands. Beaten on his debut by an impressive Giulio Cesare, he showed himself even more imposing on his next outing, when he won at Deauville by seven lengths. Too keen early on in the Prix du Bois (Gr3), he was unable to challenge Livachope. He's extended by a furlong here.

• 2. VENTURA TORMENTA (c2, IRE by Acclamation and Midnight Oasis, by Oasis Dream) rating: -

Trained in England, where he was bought £ 95,000 as a yearling, he started with a sixth place in the Norfolk Stakes (Gr2) won by The Lir Jet, whom he faces again here. He won immediately afterwards over 6 furlongs at Yarmouth and then failed in the Superlative Stakes (Gr2) over 7 furlongs at Newmarket. He's back on a shorter trip here.

• 3. THE LIR JET (c2, IRE by Prince of Lir and Paper Dreams, by Green Desert) Rating: -

Trained in England, sold for £ 8,000 as a yearling, he won easily at Yarmouth for his debut and confirmed at Royal Ascot in the 5-furlongs Norfolk Stakes (Gr2), catching home a runaway leader.

• 4. TIGER TANAKA (f2, IRE by Clodovil and Miss Phillyjinks, by Zoffany) Rating: -

Trained in Provence, claimed after her first win at Lyon-Parilly, she won again twice in this category at Marseille-Vivaux, on the all-weather, before confirming pleasantly over one mile at Marseille -Borély in a Class 2 race. She was supplemented here on the distance of her debut.