Godolphin's Wild Illusion seeking more Group One success

Sport360 staff 11:36 07/10/2018
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  • Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby is hopeful Wild Illusion can claim another top-level success in the Prix de l’Opera at ParisLongchamp.

    The daughter of Dubawi won the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc day last season.

    She began the current campaign by finishing fourth in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, second in the Oaks at Epsom and second again in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.

    Wild Illusion rediscovered the winning trail when dropped to a mile and a quarter for the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood and she sticks to that distance on her return to France this weekend.

    Appleby said: “She came out of Goodwood in great order and hopefully she goes to Paris with a great chance.

    “I think we saw at Goodwood that 10 furlongs is right up her street and I can’t see any negatives, to be honest.

    “With the way the weather is, we’re quite relaxed. She has form on quick ground and slow ground, so we’re not too worried either way.”

    Wild Illusion is the likely favourite in a 16-strong field, with the William Haggas-trained Urban Fox, Sir Michael Stoute’s Desert Diamond and Saeed bin Suroor’s Winter Lightning also making the trip from Britain.

    Aidan O’Brien saddles Magic Wand, last year’s winner Rhododendron and Athena.

    He said: “Magic Wand is in good form. She ran a very good race there in the Vermeille and we don’t think the drop in trip will bother her.

    “Rhododendron seems to have come out of the Irish Champion well and Athena ran a good race in the Irish Champion and seems in good form since.”

    Lady Frankel was only beaten half a length into third place 12 months ago and trainer Andre Fabre is expecting her to be involved once more.

    “I quite fancy Lady Frankel. She’s a good filly and I thought she should have won the race last year, she was very unlucky,” said Fabre.

    “She’s been lightly raced this season for a reason, I’ve been aiming for this time of year.”

    The first of six Group Ones on a stellar card is the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac.

    Appleby saddles Wild Illusion’s half-sister Ceratonia, who was narrowly beaten by the reopposing Rocques in a Group Three here last month.

    “She’s a half-sister to Wild Illusion, but they are slightly different types,” said Appleby.

    “Wild Illusion wears cheek pieces, which definitely help her, whereas Ceratonia has worn a hood and we’re taking it off this weekend.

    “We were happy with her last run, I think that experience will bring her on and hopefully she has a live chance.”

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