Manduro Expected To Go The Distance

Connections of Europe's top-rated horse Manduro are convinced he will handle the step up in trip in Sunday's Prix Foy.

The five-year-old has won Group Ones over a range of distances from a mile to 10 furlongs this term, but will be trying a mile and a half for the first time at Longchamp.

Andre Fabre's charge is unbeaten in four starts this season and Paul Harley, racing manager to owner Baron Georg von Ullman, is keen to maintain that record.

'Mr Fabre is very, very confident he's going to get the mile and a half. He's so versatile as to distance and ground ? I've never come across one so versatile - and I would agree with Mr Fabre,' Harley explained.

Manduro, who began his career in Germany, has three Group One triumphs to his credit but also racked up a string of places at the highest level last year.

'He seems to have improved,' said Harley. 'He was a little bit unlucky on occasions last year, getting out late and getting runs late, but he does seem to have improved and got stronger.'

Manduro had the benefit of a pacemaker last time and there is a possibility his team will add a horse to the line-up to perform such a role as he bids to book his place in next month's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe field.

'It could be more of a case of nobody wanting to go on and that leaves you in the situation were we would have to make the running ourselves,' Harley told At The Races.

'We don't want to make too many plans ahead of schedule. Sunday is the big day for us now to see if he does get the trip and then we will think of the Arc afterwards.

'He will have to be supplemented for the Arc as he doesn't hold an entry so that's is why we want to get Sunday out of the way.'

(C) PA Sport