Dubai: Godolphin, who have won the Group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois, a summer highlight of the French season, with the likes of Dubai Millennium, Librettist and Dubawi in the past, have lined-up a strong challenge in a bid to reclaim Sunday’s prestigious mile event.

Although a big question mark hangs over the participation of the French-trained Territories, due to ground concerns, Godolphin still appear to have plenty of ammunition in the form of Glorious Goodwood hero Toormore and last year’s Dewhurst sensation, Belardo.

More Dubai interest is generated by the highly-regarded colt Estidhkaar who represents former Le Marois winning owner Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance. Shaikh Hamdan won the race in 2008 with Tamayuz.

Together the Dubai-owned quartet face six rivals headed by the fancied French duo of Esoterique and Karakontie.

Toormore looked hughely impressive when landing the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood last month and his trainer Richard Hannon issued an upbeat bulletin ahead of Sunday’s race.

“I don’t think I have had Toormore in better nick. He has eaten everything put in front of him and has done everything right,” the champion trainer said.

“He showed he likes the soft ground in the QEII last year. We have been waiting for the ground with Estidhkaar since the Guineas.”

Roger Varian was also looking forward to starting Belardo who has been campaigned at the premier level and has a fourth-place effort in the Irish 2000 Guineas and a seventh in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

“Belardo has come out of Goodwood in good form. It will be the first time this season that he has encountered soft ground and we hope that this helps him show on the racetrack what he shows us at home,” the trainer told his website www.varianstable.com.

“We have not lost faith in him and are expecting him to run very well.”

Meanwhile, Fabre was cautious about testing Group 1 Prix Jean Prat victor Territories in the prevailing soft ground at Deauville, France’s favourite summer holiday destination.

“The going is a concern and on top of that, they are running handicap races on the track before the race, which could ruin the ground,” lamented the trainer.

“I am happy with the horse, but I might make a last-minute decision (on his participation). He is really a good ground horse.”

Fabre also saddles Esoterique, a winner over the course and distance who was a close second to Shaikh Hamdan’s Muhaarar in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest last month.

“She (Esoterique) is fine and has spent the week in Deauville enjoying herself,” said Fabre.

“She has nothing to lose. She has already won at Deauville and has won there over the mile. I would prefer good ground for her, also.

The Jacques Le Marois joined the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series in 2010 and the winner now earns an invitation to compete in the same year’s Breeders’ Cup Mile November 2).