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Haggas eyes Grand Prix de Paris glory with Maltese Cross
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Mon 13 Jul 2026
Derby runner-up Maltese Cross bids to go one better in the Cygames Grand Prix de Paris on Tuesday.
Hear what Tom Marquand had to say after Maltese Cross finished second in the Derby.
The Sea The Stars colt has won three of his five starts to date for William Haggas and after striking gold in the Lingfield Derby Trial, he was comfortably best of the rest behind Aidan O’Brien’s Christmas Day in the premier Classic at Epsom last month.
While the winner has gone on to finish second to stablemate Benvenuto Cellini in the Irish Derby, connections of Maltese Cross have elected to wait for a trip across the Channel for what looks a competitive renewal of the Bastille Day Group One feature at ParisLongchamp.
“The horse seems fine, he had a canter this morning and he’ll do the same tomorrow. It’s going to be very hot and it was a long old journey yesterday, but he seems OK so hopefully he’ll run OK,” Haggas told the Press Association on Monday.
“This was always the target for him after Epsom as the last three-year-old only Group One at the trip and he’s also qualified for French premiums as well.
“I thought he had a very hard race in the Derby, I thought they all did so I think the extra time compared to the Irish Derby will have done him good.
“I was obviously delighted with his run in the Derby, but it would have been wonderful if George (Waud, owner and film producer) could have won as he’d have sold the Derby there and then. He’s a huge enthusiast, but it wasn’t to be.”
While Maltese Cross clearly coped with rain-softened ground at Epsom, jockey Tom Marquand expects him to be seen in an even better light on the forecast quicker surface in France.
He said: “It’ll be a different proposition tomorrow and different ground, which is what all his other form suggests he enjoys more than what Epsom presented after the rain that came.
“My gut feeling was that he handled the ground, but didn’t love it at all. He felt more natural on faster ground, so hopefully that’s right.
“He ran huge at Epsom and I hope he can back that up in another major European Group One. It usually turns out to be a strong race, but it doesn’t look like there’s anything against him conditions wise – the trip is obviously perfect and hopefully the ground is spot-on as well.
“I saw him the other morning and he looked great and well in himself. You obviously get that extra bit of time by not going to Ireland and that was ideal really.
“He has a few good horses to contend with, but it’s an important race in the calendar and hopefully he can go well again.”
The Charlie Johnston-trained Ancient Egypt could finish only eighth at Epsom, but showed his true colours back on a quicker surface at Royal Ascot when narrowly beaten in the King Edward VII Stakes by O’Brien’s Causeway, who is again in opposition.
“I felt this was an obvious next step after Ascot and it was the last chance to run in a mile and a half Group One against his own age group, so it’s been on our radar since Ascot and we feel he is in good order,” said Johnston.
“I’m assuming given the weather we’ll get fairly quick ground which would suit him and I’m looking forward to it.
“There was a few variables when he ran in the Derby as it was his first time over the trip, first time on that kind of ground and first time in that grade and we left there hopeful, given how he travelled into the race, that it was only the ground that had caused him to peter out in the final two furlongs.
“Ascot confirmed that was the case and he really is up to this level. I left Ascot wondering if there was a bit longer between the two races like there is some other years if it might have made the difference.
“It’s just sad that his year fell when there was just 13 days between races as it was a pretty big ask to turn around so quick after what was a pretty gruelling run in the Derby in those conditions.
“We left Ascot with a huge amount of pride albeit gutted with the defeat and we’ll renew rivalry with Causeway on Tuesday. I imagine he could pose our biggest threat, but we haven’t got a huge amount to find and hopefully we can turn it around.”
The raiding party is completed by Joseph O’Brien’s Limestone, who has won his last four starts and was last seen landing the Queen’s Vase at the Royal meeting.
Watch Limestone's Royal Ascot victory.
O’Brien said: “It’s a step up in class, but he’s had a nice preparation and we’re looking forward to the race.
“He’s dropping back in distance but he’s won at 10 furlongs this season and it remains to be seen what his optimum distance is.
“He’s a lovely horse to have and long may it last.”
Francis-Henri Graffard saddles the unbeaten Varandir, with the Mikel Delzangles-trained Alam and Andre and Lavinia Fabre’s Space Waltz completing the field.
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