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Marsha bids to follow in Lochsong's footsteps once again

29 September 2017

Marsha is declared to run in the Group 1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp at Chantilly on Sunday, and goes there as favourite in a bid to repeat last year's success. Last season, Marsha was a surprise winner, having been beaten in her previous race over the same course and distance, but this time all eyes will be on her, as she could become the first horse since the sprint queen Lochsong to win races in consecutive years.

Marsha again competes against Battaash, who was the emphatic winner of the King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, in which she finished third and the re-opposing Profitable finished runner-up. Battaash went to the Nunthorpe Stakes last time out well fancied, but gave stalls handlers terrible trouble before the race and essentially ruined his chances with bad behaviour. He finished fourth behind Marsha in that epic race at York's Ebor Festival, in which our filly defeated Lady Aurelia by the narrowest margin. Battaash is still rated higher than Marsha, but only just, and she receives and extra 3lbs from his this time, which should help her chances.

What may swing the pendulum in Battaash's favour is the unsettled forecast, as he revels in soft ground, whereas Marsha has generally performed better on decent ground. The French ace Sings Of Blessing also prefers testing conditions, so we very much hope the clouds stay away and our filly can run in her favoured conditions.

There is a group of Members attending a hospitality trip at Chantilly for the weekend who will be there to support, plus many other Members have informed us they intend to travel over to see our dual Group 1 winner attempt to dazzle the French once again. Win, lose or draw, we are sure they will have an exciting weekend and, if Marsha can emulate Lochsong again, perhaps it will be yet another unforgettable day of Club action.