Portman hoping for better fortune as Rumstar tackles Abbaye once more

Jonathan Portman will give Rumstar another shot at Group One glory in the Prix de l’Abbaye at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.

The six-year-old is one of 14 sprinters still in contention for the five-furlong contest following the latest forfeit stage for all six top-level races on Arc day, with the supplemented Friendly Soul joining the likes of Daryz, Maltese Cross and Kalpana in a 16-strong Arc field.

Since successfully defending his Coral Charge title at Sandown in early July, Rumstar has finished third in both the Nunthorpe at York and the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh and Portman is hoping for another bold showing on the Bois de Boulogne this weekend.

“He came out of the race in Ireland very well, he’s in good form,” said the Lambourn-based trainer.

“It would be nice if he could get a run and finish a bit closer than he did in the Abbaye last year, when he beat just one horse. I know it was soft ground and he had a bad draw, but we just want a bit more luck, get there in one piece and run a true race and see what happens really.

“He’s been very consistent this season and has been in a good place physically and mentally. We just need to keep him in that form and as ever in racing you need a lot of luck as well.”

Rumstar’s potential rivals include Katie Scott’s rapidly improving filly Naana’s Shadow and the Harry Eustace-trained Time For Sandals.

Thirteen juvenile fillies are in contention for the first Group One of the afternoon – the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac – including Ralph Beckett’s Spirit Tango and Joseph O’Brien’s Green Empress, who has chased home the brilliant Sun Goddess in three of her four races to date.

The Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere throws up a rematch between Christopher Head’s Avec Toi and Andre and Lavinia Fabre’s Imperial Strike, who were first and second in a tight finish to the Prix la Rochette over the course and distance four weeks ago. The potential raiding party includes Joseph O’Brien’s runaway National Stakes winner Folsom Blues, with father Aidan responsible for four of the 10 acceptors in Florida Bay, Aix La Chapelle, Man’s Best Friend and Raging Bull.

Precise looks the Ballydoyle handler’s main contender for the Prix de l’Opera, for which 10 fillies have stood their ground. Dual Group One winner Aventure, second in the Arc itself two years ago, heads the home team.

Qirat (Ralph Beckett), Samangan (Francis-Henri Graffard) and Extremely Zain (William Haggas) are three of 13 going forward for the Prix de la Foret.