Ispahan Preview: Persian King back against Motamarris and the English

This 2020 renewal of the Prix d'Ispahan (Gr1) is exceptional in three ways: it takes place in July instead of May, at Chantilly instead of ParisLongchamp, and it is open to 3-year-olds, as it was for over a hundred years from its creation in 1873 to 1987.
A single 3-year-old took up the challenge though, namely Positive (Dutch Art), the Two Thousand Guineas (Gr1) 4th for his return, who carries 5lbs less than his elders for his first steps over 9 furlongs.
Three French-trained runners take part against five British raiders. Persian King (Kingman) will have to confirm his winning return in the Prix du Muguet (Gr2), transformed into a prep race for this occasion. Motamarris (Le Havre), whom he had beaten by two lengths in the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1), has just made an impressive comeback in the Grand Prix de Compiègne (L) over 10 furlongs. He never ran over such a short distance. The third French player is Shaman (Shamardal), third in the Prix Ganay (Gr1) recently after leading most of the race. He will try to hold on over Chantilly's 9-furlong trip.
Visitors' ratings are similar to those trained here, but Roseman (Kingman) made a very good impression when he finished fourth without the clearest run for his comeback to Circus Maximus in the Queen Anne Stakes (Gr1) at Ascot.
This hotly contested race kicks off at 4.25pm on Sunday.

• 1. MOTAMARRIS (c4, IRE by Shamardal and Thamarat, by Anabaa) Rating: 112lbs

Trained in Chantilly, bred by his owner, he was entered in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Gr1) undefeated in three outings and performed very well by finishing third to Sottsass, two lengths behind the 2nd-placed Persian King, whom he faces again here. Absent since he has just made a victorious comeback in the Grand Prix de Compiègne (L). He has never run over such a short distance.

• 2. ROSEMAN (c4, IRE by Kingman and Go Lovely Rose, by Pivotal) Rating: 114lbs

Trained in England, bought € 650,000 at the yearling sales in Ireland, he was placed at Listed level in Spring 2019 but did not race in the summer. He easily beat Century Dream, whom he faces again here, on his November return in a Listed on heavy ground. On his return this season, at Royal Ascot, he did pretty well to finish fourth in the Queen Anne Stakes (Gr1), a head only behind the third, running on.

• 3. PERSIAN KING (c4, IRE by Kingman and Pretty Please, by Dylan Thomas) Rating: 116lbs

Trained in Chantilly, bred by one of his owners, he was considered one of the most promising 2-year-olds in Europe after winning a Group 2 at Newmarket. He actually won the Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3) at 3 and then the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas, Gr1). Second to Sottsass in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, Gr1) over 10.5 furlongs, he did not race again that year. Rather disappointing for his comeback in 2020, when 2nd over the mile in a minor Listed event, he redeemed himself in the Prix du Muguet (Gr2).

• 4. CENTURY DREAM (h6, IRE by Cape Cross and Salacia, by Echo of Light) Rating: 114lbs

Trained in England, he won his maiden at 2, and four handicaps the following year on all sorts of grounds, from 1m to 1m2f, conquered his first group title over 1m4f in the Diomed Stakes (Gr3) at Epsom at 4 and finished this season by taking third place in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Gr1) over one mile. After a decent winter in Dubai, he only came back in the fall of 2019, without success, and underwent a wind surgery. He has just made a winning comeback over one mile in a Group 3 at Newbury.

• 5. POGO (c4, IRE by Zebedee and Cute, by Diktat) Rating: 114lbs

Trained in England, where he was bought for £ 32,000 at the yearling sales, he had a very good season of eight races at 2 and won his handicap that season. He continued in this category and won twice over the mile on good ground. He has raced three times this season and is coming off his first Listed win of the year over Windsor's mile.

• 6. STORMY ANTARCTIC (g7, GB by Stormy Atlantic and Bea Remembered, by Doyen) Rating: 110lbs

Trained in England, he came to France on several occasions, such as when he finished second in the Critérium International (Gr1) in 2015, or in the Prix Jean Prat (Gr1) the following year behind Zelzal. He also won the Prix Edmond Blanc (Gr3) in 2018 on heavy ground.
He raced just four times in 2019 and failed twice after his first two wins in Germany and Italy. This season he has been clearly beaten in races won by Century Dream and Pogo, whom he faces again here.

• 7. SHAMAN (c4, IRE by Shamardal and Only Green, by Green Desert) Rating: 115lbs

Trained in Chantilly, bred by his owners, he won on his first outing, in the summer of his 2 years. Placed then, he failed in the Grand Critérium (Gr1) but won again to close this first season. Winner for his return to Prix Omnium II (L) over the mile, then in the Prix La Force (Gr3) over 9 furlongs, he took second place in The Emirates Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas, Gr1) before failing again at Royal Ascot against the best European 3-year-olds over the mile. Second in the Jacques le Marois (Gr1) for his return to France, he finally finished third in the Daniel Wildenstein (Gr2). Winner of the Prix Harcourt (Gr2) for his comeback, he got the same placing after leading over 10.5 furlongs in the Prix Ganay (Gr1). He may try to take advantage of the shorter distance to hold the lead longer.

• 8. POSITIVE (c3, GB by Dutch Art and Osipova, by Makfi) Rating: 112lbs

Trained in England, where he was bought for £ 55,000 at the yearling sales, he won two races at 2, including the Solario Stakes (Gr3) by beating Kameko, since the winner of the Two Thousand Guineas (Gr1), which he did not run. He rather waited Royal Ascot to take part in the St. James’s Palace Stakes (Gr1), finishing fourth, five lengths behind the top three.