Harvey hunting Group One glory

Harvey could prove the horse to take Peter Chapple-Hyam back to the big time when he lines up in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud in France on Sunday.

It was on this weekend nine years ago the Derby-winning trainer registered his last Group One victory when Marcel, sporting the colours of Harvey’s part-owner Paul Hancock, claimed Doncaster’s then Racing Post Trophy.

Now down to a yard of just 20, sourcing top-level talent has proven tough for a handler who once regularly dined at racing’s top table.

“When you only have 20 horses, it’s great to find a Group One horse. It’s taken me plenty of years to find one since the last one, you just have to keep looking,” said Chapple-Hyam.

“He’s a three-year-old and a big horse, he’s huge. He will be better next year over a mile and a half. It’s all about next year, he’s just strong and precocious, which is why we have gone earlyish really. He’s next year’s horse, with a lovely attitude.”

The Criterium de Saint-Cloud is an all British and Irish affair with Charlie Johnston looking to enhance his family’s fine recent record in the race with Zetland Stakes runner-up Green Storm and the O’Brien family – Aidan and Joseph – responsible for the other three runners in the contest.

Harvey will be moving up in distance to 10 furlongs having clashed with Christopher Head’s exciting colt Maranoa Charlie in the Group Three Prix Thomas Bryon last time, when he was beaten just over nine lengths into third having previously won by six lengths at Clairefontaine.

“He ran a little bit flat last time, but if we had started the day before we wouldn’t have beaten the winner – he looks unbelievable,” continued Chapple-Hyam.

“It actually reminded me of the time I took on Arazi many years ago. I thought he can’t be that good and found out he was!

“Harvey seems in good form now though and a mile and a quarter will suit him better, it will definitely play to his strengths.”

While Harvey is going up in trip, Maranoa Charlie is staying at a mile for his own tilt at Group One glory in the Criterium International.

Again there is a strong British and Irish presence in the race and Ralph Beckett will bid to replicate the success he enjoyed with Angel Bleu in 2021 as he fields Solario Stakes runner-up Matauri Bay.

“We had him in the Futurity at Doncaster and we were monitoring both races, but felt France was the place to go,” said Alex Elliott racing adviser to part-owners Valmont.

“Some people would say we were a little bit unlucky at Sandown and he hit the line strong. I don’t think any horse wants it too heavy but we think he will handle the ground well being by Lope De Vega and out of a Hurricane Run mare.

“He’s a May foal so Ralph has been conscious to give him as much time as possible, so hopefully that is going to stand him in good stead.”

The Prix Royal-Oak also features a host of familiar names, with Alan King’s Trueshan one of four raiders from Britain and Ireland along with Johnston’s Align The Stars, Aidan O’Brien’s St Leger fifth Grosvenor Square and Karl Burke’s Al Qareem.

The latter arrives having won his last two and on the back of what connections deem a career best when downing Al Aasy in Ascot’s Cumberland Lodge Stakes, a result that gives cause for optimism when heading to the Paris suburbs.

“Clifford Lee is going over to ride and because Champions Day was last weekend, it appears like most of the established British stayers won’t be there, so we head over pretty optimistic,” said Nick Bradley, managing director of owners Nick Bradley Racing.

“He’s won his last two nicely and I think last time was a career-best, certainly the manner in which he won.

“The step up in trip would be a slight negative, but this could be an easier race – Al Aasy is a pretty good horse and he beat him well. We go there very hopeful.”