Longchamp: Vadamar back home for Prix d'Harcourt

Promising 4-year-old Vadamar heads a compact field entered in the Group 2 Prix d’Harcourt on Sunday at Longchamp.

Vadamar did not fire when sent to the Far East over the winter, finishing 10th at odds of 4-1 in the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase, but his 2011 European form was much better. Seventh in the Epsom Derby, Vadamar finished third behind Reliable Man and Meandre in the Group 2 Prix Niel and won the Group 2 Prix de Conseuil de Paris in October to cap a productive fall campaign. While Vadamar’s best win last season came on firm turf, a victory about one year ago over heavy going at Saint-Cloud suggests Vadamar can handle the softer spring going he’s likely to find Sunday.

Just five others passed the final entry phase for the Prix d’Harcourt, which at 1 1/4 miles might be slightly shorter than Vadamar’s best distance. Seven-year-old Poet is an established Group 3 type, 6-year-old Saga Dream more a listed-stakes-type performer. The other three – War Is War, Vodkato, and the filly Giofra – are 4-year-olds less proven in group stakes competition than Vadamare, but all with a chance to come forward with maturity this season.