FRENCH RACING: Conditions are set to be ideal for Godolphin's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Sakhee on his European comeback at Deauville today.
Sakhee, pulled out of Ascot's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes two weeks ago due to fast going,is at his best when the mud's flying.
And persistent showers mean the Group Three Prix Gontaut-Biron should be run on soft ground as he makes his first racecourse appearance since finishing third to his stable companion Street Cup in the Dubai World Cup at Nad Al Sheba in March.
The five-year-old, with jockey Richard Hills replacing chicken-pox victim Frankie Dettori, will be accompanied by his stablemate Sydenham in the 10-furlong contest.
They will be opposed by five French-trained rivals - Poussin, King Of Tara and Sangreal, Sunstrach and the ex-Henry Cecil-trained Wellbeing.
Deauville's clerk of the course Yves Deshayes predicted plenty of give underfoot.
"It was 3.7 or very soft this morning, that's dried out a bit to soft this afternoon but the forecast is changeable with showers," he said.
Sakhee's trainer, Saeed bin Suroor, is looking forward to the race. He said yesterday: "The way he trains and works shows he is in good form and he is ready to run. He's fit but he needs a race. I am happy with him."
