Royal-Oak : A great French Leger!

The 130th edition of the Prix Royal-Oak (Gr1), Sunday at ParisLongchamp, is one of the most enticing race of the season! What was the French version of the St. Leger will be run over 3,100 metres (15 1/2 furlongs) by eight horses, with some of the best stayers around at the moment. Despite the proximity of the Long Distance Cup (Gr2) held last Saturday at Ascot as part of the Champions' Day, a race with nearly € 600,000 against € 350,000 for the "Royal Oak", the French race is very promising.

Indeed, the title holder Holdthasigreen (Hold That Tiger) has just won for his comeback over the Qatar Prix du Cadran (Gr1)'s 4,000 metres marathon (2m4f) and the heavier ground will play in his favor on a shorter distance. His Cadran-wecond Call the Wind (Frankel) will try to take revenge, on a course that suits him very well, as will Way To Paris (Champs Elysees), sixth of the "Cadran" but certainly able to do better.

Winner of the Prix Gladiateur (Gr2) on this course in September, Called to the Bar (Henrythenavigator) was also second in this race last year at Chantilly, over a faster turf.

Three 3 year-olds answered the call. First Pedro Cara (Pedro the Great), the winner of the "Vichy Derby", the Prix Frederic de Lagrange (L), this Summer and then second in a hot 12 furlongs-race in New York. Then the English raider Technician (Mastercraftsman), who has just won the Qatar Prix Chaudenay (Gr2) on this course after finishing sixth in the St Leger (Gr1) at Doncaster. Then Iskanderhon (Exchange Rate), third in the "Chaudenay", who will try to do as well as his compatriot Subway Dancer, who came from the Czech Republic to win the Prix du Conseil de Paris.

Last but not least, Lah Ti Dar (Dubawi) comes back over a long distance on which she finished second in last year's Leger, and where she just finished fourth in the Qatar Prix de Royallieu (Gr1), over 14 furlongs.