Ivan Denisovich invades Deauville

Ivan Denisovich will test the mettle of the undefeated juvenile fillies New Girlfriend and Mauralakana in the Group 1, $426,000 Prix Morny at Deauville on Sunday.

The winner of the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket over the Morny distance of six furlongs, Ivan Denisovich is a Danehill colt out of Breeders' Cup Distaff winner Hollywood Wildcat, and thus is a half-brother to Breeders' Cup Mile champ War Chant. Trained by Aidan O'Brien and to be ridden by Kieren Fallon, he will have to be at his best as he invades the home turf of the unbeaten French fillies.

New Girlfriend began her career with a victory at Deauville in the Prix Yacowlef at five furlongs. A Diesis filly, she then stepped up to Group 2 company to defeat colts by three lengths in the 5 1/2-furlong Group 2 Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte.

Mauralakana made it 3 for 3 on July 31 with a Morny course-and-distance victory over colts in the Group 3 Prix de Cabourg.

Always Hopeful carries British hopes. He was the 12-1 winner of the Group 2 Richmond Stakes at Goodwood on July 29 and is perfectly suited to a straight six furlongs.