Ballybacka faces Longchamp test Ballybacka Queen will tackle some smart opposition when she travels to France for Saturday's Qatar Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp. Pat Fahey sends the four-year-old over from his County Carlow base in search of that all-important black type. The daughter of Hurricane Run was last seen finishing fourth in the Listed Oyster Stakes at Galway in September. Martlet also takes the big step into Group Two company. John Gosden's filly showed she was going the right way when winning the Listed Galtres Stakes at York in August. On the same card, Cirrus Des Aigles attempts to put an Irish Champion Stakes no-show behind him when he bids to win the Qatar Prix Dollar for a fourth time. Corine Barande-Barbe's remarkable nine-year-old gelding, successful in 2010, 2012 and 2013, was first past the post for a fourth time 12 months only to be relegated to fifth for causing interference. Fractional, the horse who benefited from the disqualification, also features in a field of eight for the 10-furlong Group Two. There is a strong British representation through Godolphin's French Navy from Charlie Appleby's stable and Air Pilot, trained by Ralph Beckett, the winner of the International Stakes at the Curragh during the summer. Gosden also saddles Deauville Group Three winner Johnny Barnes in the Group Three Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein, for which just six were declared. Opposition includes last year's 1000 Guineas heroine Miss France and Akatea, runner-up in last month's Prix du Moulin. As expected, Richard Hannon's Toormore was withdrawn and will wait for Sunday's Qatar Prix de la Foret. Jane Chapple-Hyam's The Twisler faces six rivals in the Qatar Prix Chaudenay over one mile and seven furlongs as he strives to complete a hat-trick after wins at Salisbury and Goodwood.
