Rio Ready To Roll

Godolphin's budding superstar Rio De La Plata is expected to be ridden closer to the pace in tomorrow's Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere following his reverse in Ireland last month.

Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor anticipates the son of Rahy developing into a Classic contender next season and he is already prominent in the betting for the Stan James 2000 Guineas.

However, having been held up in the National Stakes he was left with plenty to do before staying on well to go down by a length and three-quarters to the unbeaten New Approach.

Bin Suroor said: 'He is very well, in good form and ready to race. I would like to see him more positive this time and closer to the pace so he can show his turn of foot.

'It might have helped if he was closer to the pace last time but he was beaten by a very good horse that day.

'His last piece of work this week went very well and goodish ground will be very fair for all the runners.'

The Vintage Stakes winner will be joined in Paris by John Gosden's Young Pretender, who is chasing a three-timer and is one of seven foreign raiders in the eight-strong field.

Also making the journey from England is Mick Channon's Superlative Stakes winner Hatta Fort and the second home on that occasion, Peter Chapple-Hyam's Declaration Of War.

Brian Meehan will be represented by Manassas, with Aidan O'Brien double-handed through the unraced Minneapolis and Kieren Fallon's mount Greatwallofchina.

Completing the field is the sole home defence of the Andre Fabre-trained Shediak, who lost out to Gosden's charge at Longchamp last month.

(C) PA Sport