[NoChanceToDance]

by Rodney Masters
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ANDRE FABRE on Wednesday pre-empted any doubters who may question the wisdom of returning his stunning Royal Ascot winner Manduro to a mile for Sunday's Prix Jacques le Marois after defeats in all three runs at the trip since joining the trainer.

Having triumphed spectacularly in the ‘race of the season' when overwhelming the subsequent winners of the King George and Eclipse in Royal Ascot's Prince Of Wales's Stakes over 1m2f, Manduro was acclaimed by Racing Post Racings as the best turf horse in the world.

Fabre, asked on Wednesday if he considered the five-year-old can be as commanding over the shorter trip at Deauville, said: “Manduro was very unlucky in his three runs over a mile for us last year; nothing went right for him on those occasions. With a little more luck he would have won. He has the speed to win at a mile.”

Fabre, who took over the colt from Peter Schiergen after his two-year-old season, added: “I'm very pleased with his work. While some people may say he has improved this year, I'm not sure that is the case; the fact is he hasn't been an unlucky horse this season.”

Manduro's three consecutive defeats over a mile included last year's Jacques le Marois, when overnight rain turned ground conditions testing, and the colt finished best of all to get within a neck of Librettist.

He met with even greater misfortune when given too much to do in the Prix Messidor and then finding himself boxed in during the Prix de Moulin.

France's long-standing champion trainer said he had noted the subsequent wins of the placed horses at Royal Ascot, with Dylan Thomas following up in the King George and Notnowcato doing likewise in the Coral-Eclipse.

“A very good race,” he remarked.

After Wednesday'sforfeit, ten contenders remained in the Marois, including Manduro's two most serious threats, French Derby winner Lawman and Stormy River, but there are doubts about the participation of several of the others.
French 1,000 Guineas winner Darjina is expected to be an absentee, connections preferring the option of the Prix du Moulin or Matron Stakes.

Her old rival Finsceal Beo was left in by Jim Bolger, who is expected to make a decision on Thursday morning between that race at the Royal Whip Styakes at The Curragh on Sunday.

Godolphin has left in Dubai Millennium's son Echo Of Light, and racing manager Simon Crisford said on Wednesday: “We're just having a look, and there is no decision until tomorrow.”

However, Turtle Bowl, beaten two short heads by Ramonti and Jeremy in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, was confirmed a runner by Francois Rohaut.

Rohaut said on Wednesday: “He had a nice holiday after the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot and it did him good. He has been at Deauville for 15 days, and has been working well.”

There was no jockey booked on Wednesday night for Turtle Bowl, but racecourse rumour on Wednesday suggested the ride may go to Christophe Soumillon.

The Niarchos family's Holocane is expected to run. Others left in include Mark Johnston's Dubai's Touch, a Listed winner at Goodwood last week, and Eoin Griffin's Finicius.

World class: top turf performers by RPR
131 Manduro, 130 Authorized, Dylan Thomas, 127 Admire Moon, Notnowcato, 126 Miss Andretti, Red Rocks, Sakhee's Secret, Soldier Of Fortune, Viva Pataca

Manduro's unlucky attempts at a mile
Sept 3 2006 - Prix du Moulin (Longchamp) - C Soumillon - 3rd
Settled in last place, he needed to be switched to get a clear run, lost momentum 2f out but finished well

Aug 13 2006 - Prix Jacques le Marois (Deauville) - O Peslier - 2nd
Heavy rain before the race leading to very soft ground hampered his chances, though he had every chance before finishing second

July 23 2006 - Prix Messidor (Maisons-Laffitte) - C Soumillon - 3rd
Restrained, went 5th 4f out, ran on under pressure but looked to be given much too much to do