Strong Anglo-Irish challenge at Chantilly Irish and English horses account for half of the 20 remaining acceptors in the French Derby (Prix du Jockey-Club) at Chantilly on Sunday.Numerically speaking, John Gosden has the largest contingent as he has left in Sydenham, Hill Country and Theatre Script at the first acceptance stage today.Whereas Godolphin (Wareed and Musha Merr) and Aidan O`Brien (Milan and El Bueno) are both double-handed at this stage.Jamie Spencer has been booked to ride Musha Merr.The remainder are Random Quest (Paul Cole), Reduit (Gerard Butler) and Grandera (James Fanshawe).The home team looks formidably armed going into the 12-furlong Classic with Maille Pistol leading the defence.The Jean-Claude Rouget runner is riding on the crest of a wave following impressive front-running victories in the Prix Greffulhe and the Prix Hocquart.Chichicastenango (Prix Lupin) and Anabaa Blue (Prix Noailles), the winners of the two other major French Derby trials, also figure.The unbeaten Sensible and the Group One winning pair, Okawango and Sagacity, add strength in depth to the domestic challenge.The list of home acceptors is completed by Marchand Volant, Foundation Spirit, Art Contemporain and Doctorate.
