After completing the fastest split of the Prix de la Foret Presente par Education Above All (G1) last year before finishing fourth, Kinross is back – having improved significantly – for another crack at this year's edition of the seven-eighths-mile sprint for three-year-olds and older at ParisLongchamp on October 2nd.
This year Kinross, a 5 year elderly Kingman Gelding, wins the Cazoo Park Stakes (G2) and Sky Bet City of York (G2) at Doncaster. Those efforts were good enough for Racing Post Ratings of 122 and 121 respectively. These are Group 1 winning figures and Kinross loves testing himself on the proving ground – likely on Sunday – so the stars are aligned for his first success at the top level seem to stand.
The only concern is his extension to Box 9, which is wider than ideal and the same as when he lost last season.
After two wins in Group 2, Ralph Beckett expects a better performance from Kinross than he managed when he finished fourth in this race last year.
“He doesn’t have a great draw (stand nine) but he’s in good form and will enjoy the ground,” the trainer said of Kinross, who is Frankie Dettori’s mount. “He is certainly in the right condition for the task ahead of him. Last year it didn’t quite go according to plan, but I’m sure it’ll work out this time.”
Japanese representative Decide finished this race one place ahead of Kinross last season, with an even worse draw in box 16. He did much better this time, coming from 4th, but he hasn't performed at the same level in Japan recently , so it remains to see if it is in the same shape.
Bred in Kentucky Tenebrism starts in stance 1 and a diminutive draw can often be an advantage. A return to seven furlongs looks ideal for this filly, who has been stretched a mile in her last two starts in Group 1 competition. Her two highest Racing Post ratings came just before this trip, including when she won the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes (G1) in a good time last season.
