Racing: Fortune foray in France

JIMMY FORTUNE is poised to challenge for his first Group One success with his new employer in the Grand Criterium at Longchamp on Sunday. He has been booked to partner Commander Collins for Robert Sangster, by whom he has recently been appointed stable-jockey at Manton.

The Irishman had the first ride of his new partnership with Sangster when steering the same colt into second place behind Auction House in last month's Group Two Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

The two-year-old will be attempting to emulate Revoque, who won the French one-mile contest for Sangster and Chapple-Hyam two years ago. Also left in the Grand Criterium yesterday were the John Gosden-trained Glamis and Paul Cole's Red Sea.

n Two Grand National winners teamed up yesterday. Rough Quest, winner of the Aintree race in 1996, has been sent on a two-month holiday by his trainer, Terry Casey, to join Caroline Bailey's livery yard in Northamptonshire to qualify him for hunter chases. The 12-year-old was ridden out for the first time yesterday by Caroline's father, Dick Saunders, who partnered Grittar to win the 1982 National. "He will be hunted with the Pytchley," Bailey said. A possible target is Cheltenham's Foxhunter Chase."

RICHARD EDMONDSON

Nap: Sharp Thyne

(Huntingdon 3.15)

NB: Punishment

(Ascot 3.40)