Marie-Francoise’s Sunday Selections for 31st May 2026

Marie-Francoise’s Sunday Selections from Chantilly

Prix la Fleche (Listed) 12.30
Loppela
I think that it can be Loppela that wins the Prix la Fleche, and it will be Maxime Guyon that will get his big day going. She was very very good in the Prix de la Mere Marie here earlier on this month, but was beaten by a very fast finishing Drazinda from Francis-Henri Graffard’s stable, but maybe this better ground will be a help non? Amy Murphy’s Tokaido I think is the one to be in the race, with Yann Barberot’s Maiakovska also on my list, but it is Loppela that they must both beat.

Prix de Royaumont (Group 3) (Fillies) 1.05
Behrayna (nap)
Oui, this must be the race between Behrayna and Zlata, who were one and two in the Prix la Seine at Longchamp four weeks ago. This race could be the big indication for the Prix de Diane later on in this season, and I was so most impressed by Behrayna’s pace from the 200 metre pole, it must be her over Zlata once again. Zlata has the advantage of the win here at Chantilly, in the Prix de la Lorie last year, but I do really like the finishing speed of Behrayna over the 2,200 metres of the Prix la Seine, so with Francis-Henri Graffard’s stable in very very good form, it is my easy decision.

Grand Prix de Chantilly (Group 2) 1.40
Cualificar (nb)
Oolala! How excited I am to see Cualificar race again. All of you must know how much regard I have for Andre Fabre’s Lope De Vega colt, since he made a breakthrough Group win in the Prix la Force at Longchamp last year, and then, he was running in the very very best of races, including the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and although twelfth in that major contest, he was still only 12 lengths behind the brilliant Daryz. Of course, now a four year old there can be so much more to come, and it is on this good to soft ground that maybe we can see Cualificar at his very best. But, this race is the most competitive, with Goliath showing all of his talent to be third to Sosie in the Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin last year, and the raider from Angleterre, Eydon also a very very good horse. Eydon was last second to Santorini Star in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket, and Jaysella tells me this is one that must be on your list as he will be in the Irish St leger later on this year, so Eydon has the form in the book, non? But, I love Cualificar, and I must see him win this in this big season at this 2,400 metre trip, which is where he can be his best.

Prix du Gros-Chene – World Pool By PMU (Group 3) 2.53
Sajir
Andre Fabre’s Sajir could not hold on to the lead he had in the Prix Servanne here last time, but back in this trip to 1,000 metres can now win. It was Patrice Cottier’s Stolen Kiss that beat Sajir over that 1,200 metres race, but the win in the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest did tell me he can be very very good over 1,200 metres, but that he must not meet Stolen Kiss for a third time in 2026!! Henri-Francis Devin’s Afjan was a very good second in the Prix de Saint-Georges, so must be the big one to chase Sajir home, but it must be between these two, non?

Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (Group 1) (No Geldings) 3.30
Hawk Mountain
Oolala!! What another brilliant race there is for the Prix du Jockey Club, and there is very very much talked about for Constitution River. Oui, it is much the disappointment for Aidan O’Brien that Constitution River had the wide draw in 15, but he is still the favourite for this Prix du Jockey Club, and must be very much respected. Non, it is not impossible to win this from that draw at Chantilly, but it is just the analysis that tells you that fact, and with Ryan Moore there can be no better jockey to have a plan. D’accord, but some of the other big colts have draws in the higher numbers, with Daryzan in 10 and Hawk Mountain in 11, but maybe the race will have more of the tactic because of this. Oh yes, I think they will all be watching for Constitution River to be making the big move non? but maybe there could be plenty of pace from the front, making a test of pace and stamina. So I will be looking for Oxagon, who has been supplemented for this, Komorebi and Hankelow all to be in the pace, and it must be a truly run race. D’accord, but the one who will make the benefit from this can be Hawk Mountain, with Christophe Soumillon the expert in the timing of his runs, and Constitution River, Oxagon and Komorebi can also make the places.

Prix de Sandringham (Group 2) (Fillies) 4.15
Green Sense
Oui, I will take my chances with Green Sense for the Prix de Sandringham. She has already been the winner here, in the Prix Robert Papin in July 2025, and it was Maxime Guyon that on her that day, so will be again. Francis-Henri Graffard’s Demah was so very impressive in the Prix de Brunehaut, having to make up some of the ground from her untidy start, but did win well, despite being a bit green you say? D’accord, I always must note when Joseph O’Brien races here in France, and Green Sense is a very very good filly that can go well fresh, so she will win this.