Ryan Curatolo is not only thrilled he will throw his leg over a leading chance in the $1 million Group 1 Charity Bowl (1600m) this Sunday, but it’s also a ride which will take him back to his roots.

The French jockey has been booked to ride Countofmontecristo in the second Leg of the Singapore Four-Year-Old Challenge. The Joe Singh-owned son of Echoes Of Heaven is named after the famous adventure novel by Alexandre Dumas where one of the settings is the Château d’If, a fortress on an island near Marseille where Curatolo hails from.

“That’s the first thing I thought of when (trainer) Michael (Clements) rang me and asked me if I was available in the Charity Bowl,” said Curatolo.

Countofmontecristo will be partnered by French jockey Ryan Curatolo on Sunday, picture Singapore Turf Club

“I’ve never ridden Countofmontecristo but I know how good he is. It’s also a very nice name that reminds me of home as the story is about this man Edmond Dantès who in the 1810s was wrongfully locked up on the Chateau d’If which is near Marseille where I am from.

“It’s a very popular place to visit in the south of France. Alexandre Dumas wrote the book and they later made a movie, too.

“But nostalgia aside, I’m really excited to be riding this horse. The owner wanted me to ride him and Eye Guy earlier as I won on Yabadabadoo for him before, but I was injured at the time.

“Alysha Collett rode him very well in the Lion’s City Cup (1200m) when they finished third. William Pike then rode him in the first Leg of the 4YO series (Stewards’ Cup over 1400m), and he also ran well.

“At the handicaps, I think he has a great chance as he is the highest-rated horse in the race. Michael has changed a few things with him, like they will put winkers on, and hopefully that will improve him.”

Curatolo, who returned from an injury-enforced layoff of five weeks last weekend, bagging the main race on Friday, the third Leg of the Singapore Golden Horseshoe series, the IRT Juvenile Stakes (1200m) aboard Lim’s Lightning, said that the 1600m should be even better for Countofmontecristo, last year’s winner of the first two Legs (Group 3 Singapore Three-Year-Old Sprint over 1200m and Group 2 Singapore Three-Year-Old Classic over 1400m) of the Singapore Three-Year-Old Challenge.

“He’s never won over the mile, but he’s run the distance with no problem before,” said the former Macau-based hoop.

“It really depends on the tempo of the race and the position we get in the race. Last time he was over 1400m, but he missed the jump and was not in the position he should have been in.

“All in all, I think he stands a very good chance on Sunday, and if he wins, it will have an extra significance for the Marseille boy I am!”

Countofmontecristo was one of the 2017 revelations with his early winning streak (unbeaten at first five starts) that earned him the Singapore champion three-year-old title as well as two more races as a four-year-old, including the Group 3 Jumbo Jet Trophy (1400m) on September 10.

But he has not been able to cross the line first again since, even if was never beaten far off. Clements also saddles Only Win in the Charity Bowl.