Usherette among French raiders in Sun Chariot

Usherette pictured after landing the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot last year. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Andre Fabre‘s Usherette will form part of a potentially formidable French challenge in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

Fabre claimed the Group One prize with Esoterique two years ago – the last time he enjoyed a success in the QIPCO British Champions Series – and has high hopes for this year’s challenger.

The Godolphin-owned five-year-old won the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot last year and was a close-up third when defending her crown in June.

She made the most of having her sights lowered when claiming a Listed prize at Maisons-Laffitte a month ago and is set to return to the highest level on the Rowley Mile.

“Usherette will run on Saturday and then hopefully she will go to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup.” Fabre said. “She has won on all types of ground – it was bottomless when she won in Ascot last year – so that is not a concern.

“She had a nice, confidence-boosting win last time and we are looking forward to running her.”

The other French-trained entries among 16 horses confirmed on Monday were Jean-Claude Rouget’s Qemah and the Freddy Head-trained Siyoushake.

The home team includes John Gosden’s Persuasive and the William Haggas-trained Sea Of Grace.

Aidan O’Brien, seeking an 11th success in this year’s Champions Series, has left in Alluringly and dual Group One winner Roly Poly.