Calandagan back in search of elusive Group One gold

Connections of Calandagan are confident the ground will be in his favour for the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on Sunday.

The Aga Khan Studs-owned gelding excelled last season when winning a pair of Group Threes at ParisLongchamp before a hugely impressive six-length triumph in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

But his step up to Group One level has so far seen a series of near-misses, with second-place finishes in the Juddmonte International, Champion Stakes, Dubai Sheema Classic and Coronation Cup.

Nemone Routh, manager for the Aga Khan Studs in France, said: “He worked on Tuesday morning and worked well. He took his run at Epsom very well and he’s going to run in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on Sunday.

“It’s going to be a very hot race this year, but he’s in great form and I think he’ll get his ground.”

Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard is also set to be represented by last year’s King George winner Goliath, who returned to winning ways in the Group Three La Coupe at ParisLongchamp last time out.

The six-strong possibles list is completed by Joseph O’Brien’s Al Riffa, Andre Fabre’s Junko, the Christophe Ferland-trained Aventure and Iresine, representing the stable of Jean-Pierre Gauvin.