Godolphin have high hopes for Victor Ludorum and Syrtis as racing returns to Longchamp

Godolphin colt Victor Ludorum is out to prove his Classic credentials when French racing resumes at Longchamp on Monday, following a near two-month break due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Victor Ludorum is undefeated in three starts as a two-year-old and makes his reappearance in the Group 3 Prix de Fontainebleau – a trial for the Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains.

Trained in France by Andre Fabre, Victor Ludorum won two minor races at Longchamp and Chantilly before landing the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere in his last start in October.

“Andre Fabre is happy with Victor Ludorum and he has really done well in the last six weeks,” Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin told godolphin.com.

“There will be no hiding places this year, every race is going to be competitive, but it is a pleasure to be able to take part with a horse of his quality.

“This is the starting point for the year and we will know more about future plans afterwards.”

Mickael Barzalona, who was in the saddle in all three of Victor Ludorum’s victories, is on board the colt. The French rider also rides Fabre’s Syrtis in the Group 2 Prix d’Harcourt at the same meeting.

The four-year-old colt has won or finished second on all six of his starts, taking the runner-up spot at Group 3 level in the Prix de Conde, the Prix Noailles and the Prix de Guiche.

Syrtis was a debut winner at Longchamp in September 2018 and makes his second appearance of 2020 after a staying-on second over six-and-a-half furlongs in an All-Weather conditions race at Chantilly in March.

“Syrtis has the benefit of a run this year, albeit over two months ago now, on the All-Weather at Chantilly,” Graffard said.

“He has run well on both his previous starts at Longchamp, including a second in the Prix Noailles last year, and there have always been some question marks over his best trip.

“He faces the top-rated three-year-old of 2019 in Sottsass [third in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe], who is clearly ahead of everything else here, but it is an interesting and competitive race for the placings.

“It is great to see that Sottsass hasn’t frightened too much opposition away as it is important for racing fans to start to get a line on form from last year and how the different generations stack up. Hopefully, it will provide useful information for the rest of the season.”