The Group 2, $173,000, Prix Noailles at Longchamp on Sunday is the first major step to the French Derby, but with few French 2-year-olds having distinguished themselves at a mile or beyond last year, it is difficult to say how important a classic prep this 1 5/16-mile contest will prove to be.

Special Duty's trip to Newmarket for the 1000 Guineas is on hold after the European juvenile champion finished only third in the Group 3, $107,000 Prix Imprudence at Maisons-Laffitte on Friday. A Hennessy filly trained by Criquette Head-Maarek, Special Duty led until 150 yards from the line, when she was headed by the 2.60-1 Joanna, who recorded a half-length victory over Evading Tempete, who came late for second, a half-length in front of Special Duty.

Mon Mome defends his title in the $1.4 million Grand National Handicap Chase at Aintree on Saturday, but the 100-1 he returned when winning last year's race by 12 lengths has shrunk to 10-1 this time around. The Venetia Williams-trained 10-year-old signaled his readiness for the 4 1/2 miles and 30 fences of the Grand National when he closed well to finish third in the 3 5/16-mile Cheltenham Gold Cup, a performance that is at least as good as any put in by his 39 rivals this season.

Noble's Promise, among the favorites for Saturday's Arkansas Derby and one of the leading contenders for the Kentucky Derby, is being considered for the Epsom Derby by trainer Ken McPeek and owners Chasing Dreams Racing 2008. The Cuvee colt was one of eight late nominees at 8,000 pounds ($12,175) to the $1.9 million, 1 1/2-mile turf classic on June 5, the same day as the Belmont Stakes.

Horses departing Dubai after Dubai World Cup Night are beginning to make plans for future international events. Five of them will be heading to Hong Kong for an April 25 date in either the $1.8 million Queen Elizabeth II Cup at 1 1/4 miles or the $1.5 million Champions Mile, while seven from the Dubai Sheema Classic are nominated for the 1 1/2-mile Coronation Cup at Epsom on June 4.

The French Chamber of Deputies, the equivalent of the House of Representatives in the United States, voted on Tuesday to allow online betting to be opened up to all comers. The vote, which passed by 299-to-223, means that the French parimutuel system, Pari-Mutuel Urbain, has effectively lost its monopoly in the French betting industry.

Special Duty, the champion juvenile filly in Europe in 2009, embarks on what owner Khalid Abdullah and trainer Criquette Head-Maarek hope will be a highly lucrative 3-year-old campaign at Maisons-Laffitte on Thursday in the Group 3, $108,000 Prix Imprudence. A British-bred daughter of Hennessy, Special Duty is using the straight seven furlongs of the Imprudence as a prep for the classic 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 2, but she could hardly have found a tougher spot for her first start in six months.

Able One sprung an 11.70-1 surprise over a high-class field in the Chairman's Trophy at Sha Tin on Sunday as he defeated four Group 1 winners in the Group 2, $386,000 mile. Well placed in third by Darren Beadman, the 7-year-old Able One led just inside the quarter pole in defeating Mr Medici by a neck with Viva Pataca two lengths farther back in third. Last year's Group 1 Champion's Mile winner Sight Winner was sixth, while Hong Kong Gold Cup winner Collection came home eighth, probably finding the mile well short of his preferred distance of 1 1/4 miles.

Gris de Gris successfully defended his Prix Edmond Blanc title at Saint-Cloud on Sunday as he led throughout to take the Group 3, $108,000 mile by two lengths from Skins Game. Confidently ridden by Christophe Lemaire, the 6-year-old gray son of Slickly reveled in the heavy ground as the even-money favorite, covering the distance in 1:50.30.

Gris de Gris defends his title in the Group 3, $108,000 Prix Edmond Blanc going a mile at Saint-Cloud on Sunday when soft ground should play right into his hands. Seven of the eight lifetime victories recorded by Gris de Gris have come on soft or heavy going, with three of them coming at Saint-Cloud itself.