French Navy setting sail for Longchamp

Charlie Appleby has the Prix Dollar at Longchamp on Arc weekend as the long-term target for French Navy.

The Newmarket handler is to aim the talented but fragile seven-year old at the extended nine-furlong contest at Longchamp in October.

In his sole outing this season, French Navy carried on from where he left off last season when landing the Group Three Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket's Rowley Mile in April.

The form of that victory - his fourth at that level - has since been boosted by runner-up Arod who has landed both the Diomed Stakes and the Summer Mile along with finishing a close second in the Sussex Stakes.

Appleby said: "French Navy is in good form, but he met his usual setback during the summer. However, he wouldn't run during the summer as the ground is too firm for him. He is a seven-year-old, though, that has not had a lot of racing for his age.

"He will go for the Prix Dollar at Longchamp. It was the race we were going to go for last year with him, but we sidestepped it to go to Newmarket instead.

"It is our main target this time."