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Sangster aiming to send his career into Orbit

By Racing TV

Last Updated: Sat 10 May 2025

After coming close to 1000 Guineas glory at Newmarket last weekend,

will take another bite of the Classic cherry when Celestial Orbit heads to ParisLongchamp for the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.

The Manton handler – who is the grandson of the late owner-breeder Robert Sangster – came up agonisingly short in his quest for both a first Classic and Group One success when Flight and Simmering finished second and third respectively behind Charlie Appleby’s Desert Flower on the Rowley Mile.

However, he has been encouraged by the drawing of stall two for his impressive Star Stakes winner, who travels to the

French

capital on the back of a fine reappearance second to Zanzoun in the Nell Gwyn Stakes.

Ollie Sangster is keen to break his Classic duck (Mike Egerton/PA)

Sangster said: “She’s been in great form since the Nell Gwyn and seems to have taken a nice step forward from that run.

“I think the mile will be a positive for her and we are happy with the draw we have out in Paris. It was good to soft when we declared and it will be interesting to see what it is like, as she wouldn’t want anything too quick. That would be a slight concern, but other than that it would be all systems go.

“She had been off since last July when she ran at Newmarket and we always knew there would be a nice step up from her first run to her second of the season. If she can step up from that like we believe she has, we feel she goes there with a real each-way chance.”

Also seeking both a first Classic and Group One is Charlie Fellowes, who will saddle the Basher Watts Racing-owned filly Shes Perfect with Kieran Shoemark on board.

Zarigana wins the Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp!🇫🇷
The regally-bred filly shows a lovely turn of foot to put the race to bed for @GraffardRacing and Mikael Barzalona! pic.twitter.com/DQ9Rb6mRos
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 13, 2025

Shes Perfect was beaten just a neck by Francis-Henri Graffard’s big-race favourite Zarigana in the Prix de la Grotte last month, with Newmarket handler Fellowes optimistic of another bold bid.

Fellowes said: “In the Prix de la Grotte, Shes Perfect was making her comeback and really delighted us with her performance. We knew she would improve from the race, and her recent gallops confirmed it.

“The field is top class, but we have a consistent, straightforward filly who always gives her best. You could say she lives up to her name!

“It’s a dream to run in a Classic, both for me and the owners. I think there will be about 60 supporters for her on Sunday.”

Exactly was a winner at Leopardstown in October (Brian Lawless/PA)

Aidan O’Brien has assembled a strong team, with Ballydoyle number one Ryan Moore electing to ride Exactly, who was runner-up at Leopardstown on her return but a close-up third in both the Moyglare Stud Stakes and over this track and trip in the Prix Marcel Boussac at the highest level last term.

Before that, she had played second fiddle to stablemate Bedtime Story in the Debutante Stakes and Silver Flash Stakes, with that Royal Ascot-winning juvenile partnered by Colin Keane on this occasion.

Merrily (William Buick) and Heavens Gate (Sean Levey) complete O’Brien’s raiding cast from Ireland.

French hopes firmly lie with Graffard’s pairing of the aforementioned Zarigana and unbeaten Mandanaba, who created a real buzz when making all in the Prix Vanteaux last month.

She could be very good!
Mandanaba doubles her tally with a taking win in the Prix Vanteaux at ParisLongchamp for @GraffardRacing!🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/zU72nrfCS4
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 6, 2025

The former is a granddaughter of French great Zarkava, who won this for Alain De Royer-Dupre in 2008, and Graffard hopes to maintain family honour.

He said: “Zarigana needed her seasonal comeback. She’s really blossomed and looks magnificent. Having come on nicely from her last race, everything is in place for Sunday. Her preparation has gone without a hitch.”

On his other contender, he added: “Mandanaba is a small filly, very well put together, with lots of strength. She has quality and definitely has every right to take her chance in the Poule d’Essai.

“The shorter distance won’t be an issue for her. Princess Zahra was very supportive of running both fillies in the Classic.”

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