Treve all set for Saint-Cloud on Sunday Criquette Head-Maarek admits wonder mare Treve will have no excuses when she bids to add to her Group One tally in Sunday's Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. The five-year-old looked set to be retired following a second glorious victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October, but was brought back into training in a bid to become the first horse in history to win the Paris showpiece three times. She appears to have lost none of her sparkle judged on a scintillating comeback victory in the Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud a month ago and with race-fitness now under her belt, Head-Maarek, who also runs likely pacesetter Altaira, is confident her stable star can take another successful step on the road to Longchamp. "She's fine, she is in great form and I think she has improved quite a lot since her last race. She has been going very well at home," said the Chantilly-based trainer. "I think this race is the normal progression for her and she looks good physically. The draw is good in four and my lead horse is in two, which is good. "I don't think the lead horse will go very far, but the Aga Khan also has a lead horse and I don't think it will be a problem. "The ground might be a little firm, but normally they water the track well at Saint-Cloud and I don't think we can have any excuses." Head-Maarek could be forgiven for feeling the pressure, but said: " I'm not nervous. I never really get nervous. "For me it is just another race. Her preparation is just the same as any other horse in the yard. "She is no different to any other horse in the stable, even if she is not exactly the same!" The mile-and-a-half contest is no penalty kick for Treve on paper, with Group One winners Dolniya and Flintshire among her opponents. Dolniya was a brilliant winner of the Dubai Sheema Classic on her penultimate start before suffering an odds-on reverse in the Coronation Cup at Epsom. Georges Rimaud, racing manager for the Aga Khan, said: " She is in good form, everything is well, but there is the favourite (Treve) in the race and she will be hard to beat. "It's a good race and we've got to give it a go." The Aga Khan also has a horse likely to dispute the running in Dauran. Flintshire is one of three runners for Andre Fabre, with the master trainer also saddling Grand Prix de Chantilly winner Manatee and likely outsider Feodora. Al Waab and Meleagros complete the nine-runner field.
