Orthodox Puts Unbeaten Streak on the Line in Prix Morny

There is a sense of familiarity about the route trainer Clive Cox is taking with his Norfolk Stakes (G2) winner Orthodox (GB) for the Aug. 23 Prix Morny (G1) at Deauville Racecourse. Cox won the Prix Morny in 2012 with Reckless Abandon (GB), who won the Norfolk before taking the Prix Robert Papin (G2) en route to success at Deauville. Orthodox was meant to take that steppingstone, too, before being ruled out because of an unsatisfactory scope last month. That is certainly not the best preparation for this, but there is no doubt Orthodox has plenty of ability. Not only did he record the joint-highest-winning Racing Post Rating of 109 in the Norfolk, but he also won in the second-fastest time since No Nay Never set the juvenile course record in 2013. There has to be some concern over the form of the Norfolk, given those in behind to have run since are a combined 2-for-28, although he was 3 1/2 lengths clear of his nearest rival and looked a class apart. This step up in trip could bring about further improvement, too. The bigger question mark is whether he will handle the ground. There has been 31.2 millimeters of rain since Aug. 18 on ground that has had a lot of racing this month, and conditions have been described as "collant" (sticky, heavy ground), which suggests it could be quite testing. His sire Havana Grey (GB) won on soft ground and has plenty of progeny who handle ease underfoot, including 2023 Prix Morny winner Vandeek (GB), who won on very soft at Deauville. That offers hope. "He's traveled over well and we've been very pleased with the last few weeks in the buildup to this race," Cox said. "He continues to please me visually, and physically he's taken a step forward. "The ground sounds as if it's going to be a completely different challenge to anything we've encountered and we just hope he copes. We would have preferred to have had less rain." That concern is probably bigger for the Starspangledbanner (AUS) filly Senorita Bonita (IRE), whose victory over subsequent Lowther Stakes (G2) winner Libertango (IRE) in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes (G2) is arguably the strongest form on offer. She is a big player if handling conditions. Aidan O'Brien saddles three colts by No Nay Never, whose progeny tend to handle easier conditions. Ryan Moore has picked Man's Best Friend (IRE), who has progressed with each start and showed an impressive turn of foot when winning the Richmond Stakes (G2) at Goodwood Racecourse. He is a brother to a heavy-ground winner and warrants respect. However, one could argue that stablemate Great Barrier Reef (IRE) has greater appeal. Not only did he bolt up by 6 lengths on debut in soft ground, but his Coventry Stakes (G2) success can be marked up, given he finished almost 9 lengths clear of the rest of the group that raced down the center. He is unbeaten in three starts and it is hard to know where his ceiling lies. O'Brien's third colt is stakes-winning longshot Carry The Flag (IRE). Don't rule out the unbeaten French filly Kosuma (FR), who took her record to a perfect 3-for-3 when readily winning the Prix de Cabourg (G3) over course and distance last time, beating a couple of rivals with similar form lines to the British and Irish opposition. She is by Night of Thunder (IRE), whose progeny has a good record on soft ground, and could have plenty more to offer.