Catrine Bids to be Queen in France

Queen Catrine, who is trained by Charlie Hills, runs in the Gr.1 Poule d'Essai Des Pouliches for fillies, while End Of Line, from Andrew Balding's yard, and Lat Hawill, who is in the care of Marco Botti, contest the Gr.1 Poule d'Essai Des Poulains for colts. There are 16 runners for the fillies' race, while 14 colts contest their Classic.

Queen Catrine, the mount of Jamie Spencer, landed a maiden race last year and was then placed in several Group events, notably when third in Longchamp's Gr.1 Prix Marcel Boussac. Hills reports she had a smooth journey to France, had eaten up on arrival and was in good order ahead of her race.

End Of Line, who is ridden today by Harry Bentley, has run twice, winning a maiden at Doncaster last year and finishing second in a handicap at Sandown last month, while Lat Hawill followed up his debut win as a two-year-old with a fourth place in last month's Gr.3 Greenham Stakes at Newbury. That effort was considerably boosted when the runner-up Night Of Thunder, and the winner, Kingman, reversed places and finished first and second in the Gr.1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Jamie Spencer rides Lat Hawill in today's race.

At Leopardstown, Obliterator, trained by Ger Lyons, runs in the Gr.3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, while Pearl Of Africa, from Eddie Lynam's stable, tackles the Gr.3 Ardglen Amethyst Stakes.