Unproven bunch in Greffulhe

The 1 1/4-mile, Group 2 Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud on Saturday is a key trial for the French Derby, but this year's $166,000 renewal includes not a single group race winner. Green Rock won the listed Criterium de l'Ouest at Craon last fall and Paris Vegas took the listed Prix Policeman at Cagnes-sur-Mer in February, but the winner is more likely to come from one of the improving, untested types in the eight-horse field.

The Juddmonte-owned Ice Blue, a son of the red hot Dansili, is coming off a 2 1/2-length victory in the Prix de Ferrieres, a 1 5/16-mile Longchamp allowance that almost always produces serious group-race performers. Stephane Pasquier will ride for Pascal Bary. His main rival appears to be Royal Revival. A King's Best half-brother to San Felipe Stakes and Texas Mile winner Preachinatthebar, Royal Revival's lone start for Andre Fabre was a winning one on Sept. 19 when he dominated a first-time starters field going a mile at Longchamp. Maxime Guyon has the call.

Dara Tango and Tenacious Spring, fourth and fifth behind Planteur in the Group 2 Prix Noailles, both have much to prove.

In the 1 5/16-mile, Group 3 Prix Cleopatre, Sandbar, winner of the listed Prix de Rose de Mai over the course and distance, and A Media Luz, the neck runner-up in the Group 3 Prix Penelope over the course and distance, will present their credentials for the French Oaks, but they could be vulnerable to a pair of improving fillies trained by Yves de Nicolay, Classic Angel and Pearl Away.