Victor Ludorum faces 16 in French Derby

PA Sport Reporters
July 2, 2020 12:30 pm

British challengers Mishriff and Celtic Art among opposition.

French 2000 Guineas winner Victor Ludorum heads a field of 17 declared for the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) at Chantilly.

The Andre Fabre-trained colt, carrying the colours of Godolphin, aims for a Classic double last achieved by Brametot in 2017.

He will start form stall one on Sunday – while Fabre also saddles Ocean Atlantique (14) as he goes for a fifth win in the race.

Ocean Atlantique staked his claim with victory in a Listed contest at Deauville, having previously finished second to Pao Alto in the Group Three Prix la Force at ParisLongchamp.

Pao Alto (nine), trained by Christophe Ferland, is also in the line-up.

Aidan O’Brien is two-handed with Order Of Australia (seven) and Fort Myers (17).

Order Of Australia makes a quick reappearance after finishing fourth to stablemate Santiago in the Irish Derby last weekend. Fort Myers was unplaced in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

John Gosden’s Mishriff (three) and Celtic Art (15), trained by Paul and Oliver Cole, are the two British raiders.

Among the home-based contingent are three from Fabrice Chappet – Gold Trip (13), San Fabrizio (10) and Pisanello (six) – and Jean-Claude Rouget’s duo of Fantastic Spirit (12) and Port Guillaume (four).