Mitbaahy could make quick return in Maurice de Gheest

Mitbaahy has been given the option of a quick return to action in France this weekend after the Stewards’ Cup third was among 12 remaining in contention for the Prix Maurice de Gheest following Wednesday’s forfeits.

Charlie Hills’ evergreen seven-year-old has proven a model of consistency once again this term, backing up a good run in the Wokingham with a second in the Hackwood Stakes at Newbury before winning the race on his own side but ultimately falling a neck short in search of Goodwood glory.

He has come out of that fine effort on the Sussex Downs in fine fettle and although a final decision is still to be made regarding a trip to Deauville, his handler is thrilled to see him thriving.

Hills said: “I need to confirm things with the owners and see what they want to do but he has come out of Goodwood well and we’ll have a good look at it.

“It’s 50-50, but as long as he continues to be OK for the next 24 hours we might as well have a look and see what the ground is like and weigh up the option.

“He’s a good horse and he’s getting to somewhere near his best. He’s a Group Two winner and he had one or two problems since he won in Ireland (Greenlands Stakes, 2024) but it looks like we have put that right now.

“There’s lots of different routes we could take, but we’ll have a discussion and see where we want to be.”

Prix Jean Prat runner-up True Love could make her second straight appearance on the Normandy coast after Aidan O’Brien gave his 1000 Guineas heroine the option of dropping back even further in distance.

She is joined from Ireland among the dozen confirmations by Johnny Murtagh’s Take Charge Star.

Along with Mitbaahy, British interest is provided by William Haggas’ luckless July Cup fifth Division, George Boughey’s consistent mare Rosy Affair and last year’s Middle Park winner Wise Approach who is now on a recovery mission for Charlie Appleby.

The pick of the home contingent is Francis-Henri Graffard’s Samangan and Patrice Cottier’s Stolen Kiss, last seen finishing a neck fourth in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.