Arod and Spear run at Deauville

Tomorrow's Gr.1 Prix du Haras De Fresnay-Le-Buffard Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville in France promises to be a cracking contest.

Qatar Racing's Arod and Lightning Spear (pictured below) will be in the 11-strong line-up (15.55 local time, 14.55 in UK), although they are not alone in challenging from across The Channel. The Qatar Sussex Stakes second and third Galileo Gold and Ribchester are also racing for British yards, as does Stormy Antarctic, who was second recently in the Gr.1 Prix Jean Prat.

Dicton, who has been placed in two French Classics this year, is another interesting three-year-old who takes his chance, while the likes of Ervedya and Vadamos are quality older horses.

Arod has been out of luck this year forced to miss winning opportunities due to soft ground, he could not match the cream of Europe's sprinters in the Gr.1 Darley July Cup on his latest start, but trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam, whose yard has been under the weather, is hoping a return to a mile and ground no worse than good should see Arod showing his old sparkle. Lightning Spear ran a super race on debut for David Simcock's yard when third in the Gr.1 Queen Anne Stakes, and was only just over four lengths behind winner The Gurkha when sixth of 10 in the Qatar Sussex Stakes on his most recent outing.

Simcock says: ‚"Goodwood ended up being a slight non-event for the horse, by virtue of the way things panned out. We were left in an uncompromising position due to draw and lack of pace, but he ended up having a relatively easy race. When circumstances are right he is very good.‚"

Qatar Racing's only European runner today is Guiding Star, who makes her racing debut in a maiden at Newbury (13.55) for Henry Candy's stable.

Photo of Lightning Spear: Dan Abraham