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Eight Questions With.. Graham Pavey

A quick blink and the Summer has passed us by. The heat continues further into the autumnal months than ever before but whilst we roast in the afternoon sunshine, there is still the icy crisp blast on your senses first thing in the morning. The shiver, the stiffness in your ears, the tingle in your fingertips. It’s September and winter is creeping down from the North meaning that all roads in France are now leading to the biggest race of them all; the Qatar Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe.

It is our right to enjoy the sunshine whilst we have it, some crave and worship it whilst others choose to swerve, dodge and avoid it as best they can. The nights will soon begin to draw in and we will be plunged into the darkness that the artful dodgers mentioned above will take pleasure in welcoming in. One nation is tied closer to the sun more than most and in the Land Of The Rising Sun there are two horses that are looking to rise to the occasion in Paris in October and complete a feat that would bring joy to both the cravers of the sun and the welcoming winter folk.

As is courtesy in Japan, I bow to welcome in Graham Pavey (@LongBallToNoOne) to Eight Questions With and I also bow to his knowledge and expertise on Japanese Racing and thank him for his time and effort. So without further ado, this is Eight Questions With.. Graham Pavey!

AH (Andrew Humphrey) - How did you end up making your way to Japan?

GP (Graham Pavey) - My father had an association with Japan from the early 1970s and I was a regular visitor from quite an early age. I didn't start living here till 1999 however when my wife Keiko and I decided to bring our (then) two young children over from Australia to live in Japan for "a couple of years". We are still here 21 years later.

AH - What makes Japanese racing so special to you and the nation?

GP - Fans here love and idolize the horses, the jockeys are heroes, they follow the breeding side closely and they are extremely passionate about the dramatic theatre produced on race day. The JRA (Japan Racing Association) over decades have created an exciting, ultra competitive pattern of racing and have marketed racing cleverly (with very little or no push on the betting side) to maintain excitement for existing fans as well as attracting hordes of fresh young fans each year, particularly 20-35yo women. The combination of exciting, high speed, competitive world class racing combined with these extremely passionate, respectful and knowledgeable fans is what makes JRA racing special.

AH - For those of us not involved with Japanese Racing, can you explain the race calendar to get to this point for the horses due to run in France?

GP - DEEP BOND (DB) and CHRONO GENESIS (CG) are JRA horses so I will talk about the federal government overseen JRA calendar that races on weekends (as opposed to the local council NAR circuit who race daily all over Japan on Dirt). There are 24 JRA Group 1 races throughout the year, two of which are raced on Dirt. The main Group 1 racing seasons are the spring - early summer and then again autumn - early winter conducted at racecourses in the most populous areas of Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya. Racing continues throughout summer however moves to northern racecourses to avoid the heat and humidity. There aren’t any Group 1 races at all between the G1 Takarazuka Kinen run in late June through to early October when the G1 Sprinters Stakes kicks off the autumn Group 1 season.

CG won the June 27 G1 2200m Takarazuka Kinen and DB ran 2nd in the May 2 G1 3200m Tenno Sho, neither has raced since. Both spent the summer spelling and pre-training up north in the cooler climate of Hokkaido. If the pair weren’t racing the 2021 Arc then, typically, they would be setting up for key Group 1 races in Japan in October-November -December. Races such as the 2000m (1m2f) Tenno Sho, 2400m (1m4f) Japan Cup, 2500m (1m4.5f) Arima Kinen. The latter two have purses equal to The Arc (or greater than depending on the exchange rate!).

AH - What can you tell us about Deep Bond, what should we expect in the Foy and the Arc after?

GP - DEEP BOND is a two time Group 2 winner and Group 1 placed in Japan. He is a big strong good looking horse that races best around 500kg in body weight. DB is a very tough dogged stayer that can run along on or just off the pace then sustain a long sustained spurt to grind down his rivals. He was unplaced behind JRA Triple Crown hero Contrail four times as a 3yo last year however wasn’t too far behind him in the Japan Derby and Japan St Leger.

As a 4yo this year, he has won a Group 2 over 3000m in March then finished 2nd in the Group 1 3200m Tenno Sho on May 2nd.

If the Foy or The Arc become tough staying tests then his chances should improve, he lacks a turn of foot to sprint quickly off a slow pace however. I would like to see him running on the speed, hitting the line well and finishing in the top 5 or 6 in the Prix Foy to be considered any chance at all in The Arc.

AH - Chrono Genesis will be familiar to many for finishing 2nd to Mishriff in Meydan and winning next time out, how are the feelings behind her chances?

GP - CHRONO GENESIS (CG) career is 15: 8-3-3 and over €9M earnings with four Group 1 wins so obviously shows she is a very high class and consistent mare. She thoroughly deserves her shot at The Arc before she has to retire at the end of the year.

CG is very athletic and has gears, she ran her last 3F in a sizzling 32.8 when just beaten by Almond Eye in the G1 2000m Tenno Sho last October where she displayed most of her gears. She has also proven that she can stay by winning the G1 2500m Arima Kinen in December last year as well as the 2nd to Mishriff in the G1 2410m Dubai Sheema Classic in March.

On the Dubai run Jockey regular Yuichi Kitamura commented “When they picked up at the third bend, she was able to keep up but just after that she couldn’t respond immediately and she tired in the end. She wasn’t able to show her signature closing speed in the stretch." CG was flat compared to her usual self when asked to extend in the straight. She was just beaten by a tough race fit horse in Mishriff who went on to win a Group 1 in the UK recently and Loves Only You who ran 3rd in Dubai won a Hong Kong Group 1 at her next start.

This international formline looks solid enough and CG and her team would have learned a lot from the Dubai trip, her first race overseas, and should have been able to tinker and tweak things to make her more competitive in The Arc, hopefully she doesn’t tire as in Dubai and can show her signature closing speed this time and be right in the finish.

I don’t know the form of the Euro / UK horses much at all so can’t honestly tip for or against either JRA horse in The Arc however do feel CHRONO GENESIS is the best of the two Japanese horses and better equipped than many of the JRA horses that have ran in The Arc.

AH - Both Japanese horses look likely to have European based riders, is there a reason/why we aren't seeing C. Lemaire make the trip on horses he knows well?

GP - Oisin Murphy (CG) and Cristian Demuro (DB) are outstanding jockeys to have on your horses in The Arc at ParisLongchamp, the connections of both horses were astute in booking them early.

Murphy and Demuro have ridden a lot in Japan and have a strong association with the connections of the two horses. I don’t know the exact reason why Christophe Lemaire isn’t riding, possibly the COVID situation and the associated quarantine requirements meant that he would miss too much of the JRA season however we would have to ask Christophe to get the definitive answer!

AH - Can you put into words what it would mean for the Japanese racing community to have an Arc winner?

GP - Firstly, I do think the media love to overplay it a lot on Japan’s desire to win The Arc.

We aren’t kept awake each and every night here for weeks or months worrying about how Japan can somehow win The Arc, we only miss sleep for a night or two in reality (!)……. then it is back to sleepless nights worrying about how to or who will win the Japan Derby, Arima Kinen, Japan Cup, Tenno Sho and Yasuda Kinen!

It would be fantastic for the aforementioned fans that make racing in Japan so special to see CHRONO GENESIS, DEEP BOND or even Japan bred SNOWFALL win the 2021 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as it is considered by most here to be the greatest horse race in the world.

Japanese bred horses regularly win races all around the world including prestigious classic races in Europe and the UK, they have proven they have the class to win the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Finally achieving it would be met with huge excitement, pride and celebration for sure.

A huge thanks again to Graham who can be found on Twitter as @LongBallToNoOne for the detail in his answers and the time taken to put them together!

Back again soon with another Eight Questions With...

Images: France Galop, APRH, Sky Sports, Graham Pavey.

Eight Questions With.. Tim Donworth

The sun is shining, the water is cool and clear and the time to jump into the French Racing ocean has arrived!! Fresh from the first meeting back at the golden nugget of French Hippodromes, the ink in our notebooks isnt yet dry but the tracker and potential Classic horse list has been added to and added to. It is difficult to remain calm and not get overly excited about horses but when the boss of this weeks interviewee provides fresh and hot quotes like, “He will be in the top 3 and will WIN the Grand Prix in July” then turfistes get a free pass to GO and collect chances on the way.

This week’s guest is Tim Donworth, he is a vital cog in the Jean Claude Rouget machine that continues to produce winner after winner. As always, I am eternally thankful to him for his time and effort! Disclaimer - the questions were asked before the recent performances of Divertissement and Cheshire Academy!

Eight Questions With Tim Donworth!

AH (Ande Humphrey): Firstly, what is it like to work with/alongside one of the most respected trainers of them all Jean Claude Rouget?

TD (Tim Donworth): Working for M. Rouget is excellent, he is one of the most successful trainers in Europe and I have certainly taken many things from his operation that I will utilise once I start training. I considered myself very lucky to have had the chance to work with him and his team who have been so successful down through the years.

AH (Ande Humphrey): The operation he runs is split between Pau and Deauville - can you give us an insight as to how this is managed? Is the string split in half for example?

TD (Tim Donworth): The operations is as you stated split between Pau and Deauville, the boss will split his time between the two locations depending on gallops and races and the day to day management is handled by his assistants, Jean Bernard Roth in Deauville and Jean Rene Dubosc in Pau.

AH: Onto the horses! Divertissement has had a great start to the season and is a real eye catcher. What are the thoughts on her in the yard and does she have a big target for the season?

TD: Divertissement will run in the Prix Penelope at Saint Cloud (Finished 5th), she has looked very impressive in her previous runs at Cagnes and Bordeaux.

AH: Peter Brant has plenty of horses in the yard - Russian Camilla and Cheshire Academy are two well known ones but can you tell us of any that we should put in the trackers. (Cheshire Academy has since win the G3 Prix Noailles)

TD: There are lots of exciting horses to come, personally I like a two year old filly called Long Ridge Road for later in the season.

AH: Looking at well bred horses, Pitch stands out for the Gainesway owners. A half to Polydream, have you seen her and if so, how does she look compared to the other 2yos?

TD: Pitch is a beautiful filly and looks like a real athlete, here’s hoping she’s as fast as her sister!

AH: Last season was as special as it gets for JCR - how is the mood in the camp going into this season?

TD: The mood in the camp couldn’t be better having already had excellent results during the meetings in both Pau and Cagnes sur Mer during the winter months, expectations are now high for the summer ahead of us.

AH: What are the goals for this season for Team Rouget? More Classic and Arc success or something else? TD: Like all stables everyone would love to win more races like this, that’s why we all get up so early and work so hard every day

AH: Finally, Racing is well and truly in your blood - from Roundhill Stud to Flying Start and on to Nicolas Clement. Would you like to train in the future?

TD: I am starting training this year in Chantilly. I plan to finish with M. Rouget in August and hope to have my first runners before Christmas, it’s an extremely exciting time for me as I start to get things prepared in the coming months.

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Back soon with another guest and 8 more questions!!

Thanks for reading!

Eight Questions With Harry Peter Hoblyn

It's been said for years that too much of a good thing is bad for us; I'd happily argue against that. Can you have too many holidays? What about too many meals out or sometimes too much Rosè with friends on a summers evening? Remember what that feels like? The euphoria of it all? The carefree attitude and ability to do whatever we want in the sunshine? So close but just that short nose away currently meaning targets have been dropped in class to Sweets and binge watching At The Races; but too much of both of those will never be too much! It was only 12 months ago that we had no racing at all. Meetings around the globe called off and courses shut down before being colour coded. Many fell into the dreaded Red in France, we were denied the Edmond Blanc, Fontainebleau, Djebel and a plethora of others at all levels.

Luckily the sunshine on the horizon is coming into focus on times that has challenged few, beaten some, given hope to more, courage to others and strength both of will and mind to many. Those good things will return, as will the sight of green turf on a racecourse and the soft, glossy texture of a racecard in your hand and not forgetting the raspy tone of a bookmaker hollering his place terms and the price of the jolly canvassing your for those purple notes in your pocket. For now im happy to stick to my Red & Black gums and more French Racing on ATR so thanks all the same!

This week's guest Harry Peter Hoblyn of Hyphen Bloodstock and Racing Manager to the red and black stars of Al Asayl Bloodstock. I cannot thank him enough for the detail, time and effort he went into.

Eight Questions With.. Harry Peter Hoblyn!

AH (Ande Humphrey): We start off with a look back to last season and we have to start with The Revenant. What a horse he is for you and the Al Asayl team - how did it feel to watch him win the Prix Daniel Wildenstein and then follow up at Ascot?

HPH (Harry Peter Hoblyn): It was fantastic to see The Revenant land the QEII. His seasonal debut last year was scheduled just a few days after racing was cancelled in France which was unfortunate and then by the time racing was up and running again the ground had got too firm for him. We were a little nervous before the Wildenstein just because it had been so long since his last run but we needn’t have worried as he did it fairly simply. I was at Ascot in 2019 and although he ran a great race, no one wants to be second so to watch him go back last year and beat a strong field was amazing although it was a very different atmosphere to the year before. AH: Will he follow the same path as last year and have a nice long break until the autumn or could we see him out earlier? HPH: He is set to run in the Prix Edmond Blanc on 3rd April at Saint Cloud, a race that he won in 2019. He will have a G1 penalty this year but Francis is delighted with how he has come through the winter and we are hopeful that he can start off his season in the right way. As far as targets after that both the Lockinge at Newbury and the Prix D’Ispahan at Longchamp are options. Obviously there are races like the Sussex and the Queen Anne through the season but both tend to be run on firmer ground than suits him. All roads will lead to Champions Day at Ascot and hopefully the successful defence of the QEII. I’d love to see him do a bit of globe trotting but we will take each race as it comes and go from there.

AH: If you could have any race back and run it again last season - which would it be?

HPH: If I could run one race again from last year it would probably be the Euphoria’s listed race at Deauville on 22nd August. She was 2nd behind Makaloun who went on to finish 3rd in the Criterium de Saint Cloud. She’s such a tough little filly and pushed Makaloun all the way. It would have been great to see her get her head in front.

AH: The famous red and black colours have won a few times already this season with Dream Of Stars, Silver Quartz and Count Rostov - how pleasing is it to start so positively?

HPH: We’ve had 6 winners from 19 runners so far this year which is one of our best starts to a year and hopefully we can build on that for the rest of the season. Silver Quartz seems to be improving as he gets older and is coming over to Lingfield for the Mile race on All Weather Champions Day on Friday (Hollie Doyle booked). He’s a dude of a horse who has found a place in the heart of everyone who has ever had anything to do with him so I’m sure there would be plenty of people who would be happy to see him run well on Friday. Count Rostov seems to be following in his brothers footsteps and improving with age. Their sister Irrepressible has just had her first foal (a Dabirsm filly) so it would be great if SQ and CR could provide a few updates this season.

AH: You've got Le Nomade in the Jockey Club and Grand Prix De Paris, La Viette and Tide in the Diane - we are a long way out but how does it feel to have entries in the Classics?

HPH: It’s great to have entries in those kind of races, that’s what you strive for as an owner breeder and you are using the upper echelons of the stallion ranks. Our goal has always been to breed and race at the highest level and I think that the past few years have shown that we are making progress in that department. Whether the horses that have those entries this year will get there is still to be seen but as you say we are still a good way out at the moment.

AH: Al Asayl have their horses with just two trainers in Francis Henri Graffard and Francois Rohaut in France - is there a reason for this?

HPH: We have always kept our horses with a small group of trainers rather than spreading them out all over the place. We have supported Francis-Henri Graffard since the early stages of his training career and we have been rewarded for that support with Group 1 wins for The Revenant and Bateel. Bertrand Le Metayer refers to Francis as the ideal son-in-law because he is always so immaculately mannered and professional and I think that’s a pretty fair assessment although personally I wouldn’t let a daughter of mine date someone quite so short!! Jokes aside he has been very successful and in my opinion definitely has to be considered as a potential heir to the throne of French racing. François Rohaut is an exceptional horseman and his care for the horses is second to none. He had a great year for us last year despite all the Covid related setbacks and that success has been rewarded with some decent 2yo’s so hopefully that success can continue. He also trains our Arabians in France headed by Mujazif who won a Group 2 last year.

AH: You have plenty of two-year-olds in France this season and a few unraced 3yos - can you give us a few to follow and why?

HPH: This year we only sold one yearling so we have sent a decent team into training. We have never been producers of very forward horses, a lot of our mares are quite classically bred and as a result require a bit of time. That being said there are certainly a few two year olds I’m excited to watch progress this season, François Rohaut trained Khaleesy (Galileo x Fleeting Spirit) and her first foal is a Ribchester colt called Life on Fire that had just entered training with François. François has also been pleased with Subtle Truth (Dariyan x Allegria) so far, hopefully he can show the same amount of promise as Euphoria did in her 2yo season. Of the slow burners L’Astronome (Frankel x Tymora) at Graffard’s is a great physical type and although he will need time I’m excited to watch him develop. With regards the unraced 3yos three year olds, a few to look out for are La Viette (Oasis Dream x Hazel Lavery), Kastaka (Dubawi x Elle Galante) and Esperanza (Invincible Spirit x Tereschenko) all three are raw fillies with terrific pedigrees and look like they are going to improve with age.

AH: Finally, what are the goals for Al Asayl and yourself in the 2021 season in France?

HPH: Our goals for 2021 are to continue to produce the best horses possible. Obviously The Revenant will be a big flag bearer for us this year and after he had such an interrupted season last year it would be great to see him have the full season we hoped he would have last year. We’ve got some exciting yearlings at Haras de Vieux Pont at the moment including Bateel’s first foal by Roaring Lion and The Revenant’s half sister by Saxon Warrior so it is important to us that we give them the best possible start before they go into pre-training.

On a personal level I have developed a bit of a niche for myself managing and selling stallion nominations given to Jockeys upon the horses retirement. I’m working with some of the best jockeys in England, Ireland and France and I hope to build on that throughout the coming year. -

Back soon with another guest and 8 more questions!!

Thanks for reading!

Eight Questions With...

The sensation of dipping your toes into a fresh, clear and very blue water is an unmistakeable feeling and as we float towards April it will soon be time to jump head first into the French Racing ocean. All is calm for now but there will be wave after wave of talent coming our way and well, I cannot wait.

It was a busy off-season compiling a list of Unraced 2 & 3 year old horses for the top 10 trainers in France last year but click the link above to view! This is the first (hopefully) of a series of blogs in which I ask eight questions to some of the most influential, important and respected people within French Racing. Why eight? Why not?! Kicking things off is Lisa Jane Graffard - she is the representative for the all conquering Godolphin and I am thankful for her time and effort!

AH (Ande Humphrey): Last year was a superb year for Godolphin in France - was there one stand out race or horse for you and the team?

LJG (Lisa Jane Graffard): It was a great privilege to be able to continue watch the Godolphin horses races in 2020, following the end of the first lockdown. Victor Ludorum’s win in the Poule d’Essai gave the whole team such a boost, coming when it did. Persian King was sensational in the Moulin, and he only served to enhance his reputation in the Arc.

AH: If there was one race in 2020 you could have back and run again, what would it be?

LJG: We try not to have regrets or find excuses for what went wrong. One raceday I missed attending was Eclipse Day at Sandown as it was such a fabulous day for the team with Ghaiyyath winning the Eclipse Stakes and one of our old favourites, Magny Cours, winning the Gala Stakes. That was a real team effort, as he was beautifully prepared by André Fabre and his team, before handing over to two of my colleagues, Declan Daly and Brendan McGiff in the UK (due to Covid restrictions). They have both worked closely with Talismanic, Persian King and Victor Ludorum during spells in Newmarket so it was lovely to see them lead up Magny Cours that day.

AH: The two P's were big eyecatchers last year and have unbeaten records - how have Parchemin and Philomene taken their winter? Also they have entries in all the Classics and even the Newmarket Guineas - are we likely to see them in these races?

LJG: Both Parchemin and Philomene have wintered well and are in good form. We’ll need to see their seasonal debuts before making any decision on where they run. Both are good-looking, quality horses, unbeaten, and with a certain level of expectation for this year. All being well Parchemin could go for a French Guineas Trial such as the Djebel or Fontainebleau, with André marginally leaning towards the latter at this point in time, but that could change. Philomène has the option of running in a Class 2 but could start in a Prix de Diane trial. She’s waiting for a bit of Spring sunshine as we are still getting some cold, frosty nights in Chantilly and it can be tough on the fillies, especially after a very mild winter.

AH: Of the other three year olds there was definitely names to note down at the end of the season - Botanik and Mond amongst them. Both have Classic entries too - given the strength of the names above, will they head the Classic route or could they travel potentially?

LJG: Botanik and Mond are middle-distance types and the former is slightly behind in his work. At the moment no return point has been fixed, but they are also quality horses who should progress on their juvenile form. André Fabre loves to travel if he feels the horse is good enough and the right opportunities are there. I imagine they’ll both start in France though.

AH: Final three-year-old question I promise! There are two horses that are well related but yet unraced. Ages Of Man is a half brother to Victor Ludorum and Maid Of Norway is a half sister to Lucida - what can you tell us about them? Have they been left unraced for a reason?

Both are late-maturing types who weren’t up to doing much last year. Ages of Man is a very different type to his half-brother and he is changing all the time. Maid of Norway is very much an unknown quantity for us, but she has been going the right way since returning to training.

AH: It is great to see Victor Ludorum stays in training as a four year old - how is he and what races can we expect to see him running in this year?

Victor Ludorum will be aimed at the top mile races this year from the Summer onwards.

AH: Finally, what are the goals for Godolphin this season in France?

To try and improve on last year’s results! We are always striving for the best, and we continue to invest in the future of our sport as well through the Trophées du Personnel, Au-Delà des Pistes and Together For Racing International. We hope to see those initiatives continue to grow and develop in France and to work with all our partners towards a sustainable future for our sport.

Keep an eye out for the next Eight Questions With...

2020 Prix De Diane Preview

I have previously rabbited on somewhat before writing pieces, trying narratives and attempting to link the runners to a theme. I regret (or am pleased) to inform you that it wont be happening in this preview as words are hard to come by as to my excitement about this race. It’s a belter. It’s boss. It’s exceptional. It’s just about miles better than the (Epsom) Oaks run the day beforehand.

Ireland v France. Coolmore v France. Niarchos Family v France. France v France! Did I mention that this was a boss race? Onto them runners and it is only fair we start with one of the visitors!

ALPINE STAR

Mesdames et Messieurs - your favourite for the race.

Exceptional at Ascot in the Coronation, like your younger sister after a night out on the town, it was pleasing to watch her come home alone and ahead of the others. The truth of the matter is she really did thump them. Hitting the front with 2f to go she put in eye watering sectionals to the line under Frankie. All eyes that day were on Quadrilateral and she made her look a right square.

Her final race of 2019 was in the Debutante Stakes in which she showed her fighting spirit to nose out Petite Mustique. Yes the head carriage was a little high and her balance was not that of the Ballydoyle horse but she was steely and responded to the wants of Shane Foley. The form looks fairly stellar too with 1000 Guineas winner and (Epsom) Oaks favourite Love back in 5th and paddling up stream to get near her. Another well fancied Ballydoyle horse had the pleasure of the Alpine Star brush in her preceeding run as Irish Derby winner and Leger favourite Santiago was dusted aside too. Jessica Harrington has campaigned her to an exceptional level and to come to a race so beloved by the Niarchos Family and win with another one of their homebred stars, well, words would be hard to come by.

From a ratings standpoint she is well clear and the France Galop handicappers see this too as she is +3.5kg ahead of the field. Will she be clear of everyone at around 3:00pm on Sunday. We’ll see.

PEACEFUL

Peaceful by name but certainly not by attitude.

Her performance in the Irish 1000 Guineas was as brutal as it was beautiful. Smart out of the gates and prominent early on (both positives for Chantilly) she sent out a small warning signal being the first to come under the pump from Heffernan. Fears were eroded quickly however when she poured and poured and poured it on at a pace that was unsustainable for the others. Fancy Blue tried to get onto the scene but by that time the party was over and Peaceful had sent them all home drunk. The positives must also be counterbalanced by questions over her stamina. It is difficult to type that knowing she is a Galileo but the evidence is there in tangerine and blue. First under the pump and Heffernan looked fairly serious on her, she has another 300m to go uphill at Chantilly and if Fancy Blue can make late gains on her then that is a weak spot that her adversaries will press on.

At the end of 2019, her trip to Newmarket was a rare unsuccessful one for Aidan finishing behind Born With Pride who really has underwhelmed so far in 2020. The news was not all bad however as she did finish ahead of the now Pretty Polly winner Run Wild who we found out was certainly not a miler when trounced by Alpine Star at Ascot.

Lightly raced, competitive on seemingly any ground and certainly not slow she may look calm and collected but make no mistake, when the gates go back she will become hostile. Quite extraordinarily she would also become the first Aidan O’Brien trained winner of the race and would give Michael Tabor’s colours the French Classic set.

MISS EXTRA

Who gives you extra? Halifax did but Alan Jathiere does now. He gave trainer Pia (and Joakim) Brandt 39,600€ to add Miss Extra into the Prix De Diane midweek. This daughter of Masterstroke has quickly turned into one of the hottest horses in France. A maiden through four races for trainer Joel Boisnard she was picked up by Jathiere and his wonderful hair and sent to Brandt to join the 5 others he has within the Swede’s facility in Chantilly and well the rest is a bit of a blurr.

Her opening win kickstarted a big racecourse hat-trick (all at 1600m) that culminated with right foot thunderbolt in the Prix De Sandringham at Chantilly beating fair horses such as perennial place horse and Pouliches 5th Ellerslie Lace. Her 2nd win was in a Listed contest that has seen two winners come out including the well regarded Chorba for Jean Claude Rouget who was once entered (and fancied) for this race.

We must pull the plaster off and be realistic, she will need to improve hugely to win this. Evidence of her staying the trip is non-existant and her ascention through the ranks would on the surface appear to have been against opponents that are many many lengths away from competing in this field. The element of surprise however can be a weapon that few utilise well and it may be an extra weapon in her armoury.

Fortune favours the brave!

RAABIHAH

Sometimes you can have two too much of a good thing and this certainly rang true to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum ahead of the Diane this year. Making the decision between the McLaren called Raabihah and the Rolls Royce called Tawkeel was left until the very last moment and on Wednesday evening it was decided that the McLaren was due a spin. Tawkeel had her Group 1 win in the Saint-Alary so it is the turn of Raabihah to make sure that they continue to have their portion of the good things.

It isn’t confidential information that Jean Claude Rouget is a wizard with his fillies. Four wins in the Diane since the turn of the millenium sits him atop the table and he has won this with some superstars; Avenir Certain and La Cressonniere the most recent.

Unbeaten in her career so far, Raabihah comes into the race with least miles in her legs. Unraced at two, her three year old campaign began with a glorified hack canter at Cagnes Sur Mer over 2000m. The form of that race is, as you would expect, unspectacular. Thrust from the beach to the big stage in the 2200m Prix De La Seine at ParisLongchamp she was drawn on the wing (albeit in a 5 runner race) but this proved no bother for the filly or Cristian Demuro. They broke well and tapered their way into the field after 400m. Finely balanced around the sweeping bend and not running away in the hands of Demuro she was in the perfect spot. With just 300m to go she levelled with the leader Seachange, then the McLaren turbocharger kicked in and length after length was put between them. Unfortunately we go back to an earlier statement, the form of that race is, as you would expect, unspectacular.

Her experience breaking from the stalls into a reduced straight and the working around the long sweeping bend she experienced in the capital will benefit her at Chantilly where it is much alike. The time was unspectacular but her ability to see out the distance and see it out so well is a big plus for her too but can she compete with the speed of the milers?

FANCY BLUE

As presents go, Fancy Blue wasn’t a bad one when gifted to Donnacha O’Brien from his father Aidan and Michael Tabor. Not often do you see a twice victorious horse switched stables to a trainer just starting out, but then Coolmore and Ballydoyle are no ordinary operation.

Fancy Blue is no ordinary filly either, well bred from the JPN champion of champions Deep Impact and Chenchikova. Her granddam Kasora sired the immortal High Chaparral so she should get the trip alright!

Her 2nd behind Peaceful in the Irish 1000 Guineas is really the only race worth looking at. Dropped to the back of the field she was taking a good look around the Curragh as they went through the early stages. Barely in the screen as they turned into the straight she was posted in the Tattersalls enclosure by Declan McDonogh giving her an absurd amount of work to do but graft away she did. Passing horses almost as if they were statues she certainly looked far from ordinary and visually was the best horse in the race. The softer ground at Chantilly looks to have been the reason for deviating away from Epsom but it now looks like she may have got her ground there too.

A win in the race (as with Peaceful) would give the tangerine and blue of Michael Tabor a set of French Classics but it would also mean that Donnacha has won this race before his father. A gift that his father may wish he had kept himself if he ends up in the box next to the Winners Enclosure.

SPEAK OF THE DEVIL

PSA: I have a history with this horse. Together in the Pouliches as an each way play at a working mans price we conspired to be beaten the shortest of noses. The thrill of watching her make stride after stride on the leader, I thought we had it. I mistakenly messaged around saying we had as well. Merde.

Fabrice Chappet has only one Classic winner in France (One more than me I must add) and that was Precieuse in the 2017 Pouliches. This daughter of Wootton Bassett is his best chance since then. A real demon in the softer ground at Deauville in October on her debut, she drifted over the top of the sloppy ground to win going away from the field that included now Listed winner Quiet Times and recent flavour of the month Bonne Idee for Andre Fabre.

Wasting no time as racing resumed she was back on Day 1 in the Escoville at ParisLongchamp over the 1600m. It was almost like going back to school. Slow away from the gate she pulled hard enough for Pasquier, hooking a quick right towards the rail. The bend was a bit of a dog’s dinner as heading down the hill she pulled once again forcing Pasq to take a real hold. Being the last to enter the straight, her view was a dam of horses that briefly opened before being shut again. Shinning Ocean had set sail but between the 200m and finish line she showed real speed to make up places hand over fist and finish 2nd.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Speak Of The Devil was last out the gate in the Pouliches, had a dam of horses in front of her that briefly opened before shutting again and then made up places hand over first only to come 2nd. Can’t get much closer to insanity than that.

Her performances show there is a real streak of class within her, she has the speed that others may not but she also does not give herself the best of chances. To break this insane seconditis will require a joint effort of breaking better but positioning better too. Would I class as insane if I backed her again and expected a different result? I guess so.

THE OTHERS

Vadsena - Start with the positives. The choice of Christophe Soumillon, she has twice won over 2000m. And the not so positives. Both wins came in the provinces at Salon Provence and Pau. Her most recent start saw her finish 2nd to Wangari whose form is not bad at all having been narrowly beaten by G1 winner (and Rolls Royce) Tawkeel in her previous start. She will have to improve to win this and she is priced accordingly.

Ebaiyra - She was impressive in the Royaumont at Chantilly last month but looked to need all of the 2400m that day. A relaxed filly she really does just lollop along. On her only start at 2000m she came second behind fellow Diane runner Solsticia and didnt appear to have the oomph you’d want to see ahead of a race like this. Cheminaud will now take the ride after the unfortunate fall of Peslier. A potential pace horse?

Solsticia - Her 3yo career started with a positive when winning at Chantilly over 1800m. As we said above, she had the oomph that Ebai did not to stretch away and win that day. Fabre took the lofty decision to push her into the G1 Saint-Alary where she looked a real handful for Guyon. The cover he found for her worked but then she looked a tad lazy on the Chantilly bend. In the straight, try as he might Solsticia just would not take the left pull into the free air that Guyon wanted and her chance went out the side door along with Guyon’s whip. Did she see out the 2000m? Not in my opinion, she seemed to be one paced at the end and Rouget will have her number on a line through Tawkeel.

VERDICT

Pace. Where for art thou pace? I can’t see much. Magic Attitude went from the front in the Saint Alary and got caught out so one would imagine that is not high on the list of priorities again. Peaceful jumped out and went very handily in the Irish 1000 Guineas but untested at 2100m would this be a good idea for her? Alpine Star was prominent in the Coronation but will Pasquier want to make all on a horse he has barely sat on and does not know? The draw at Chantilly as for the colts is over exaggerated in my opinion given their ~600m run to the bend.

Peaceful looks a wonderful filly and the Irish 1000 Guineas looked a true test of pace and stamina. This step up to 2100 should in theory not be an issue given her sire but you’d have to have doubts if she can perform as she did at the Curragh over a furlong and a half more. It wouldn’t be too big a leap to say that Fancy Blue could have run on past her if given that extra 300m. It is a massive plus to have Heffernan on board, his knowledge of the filly could be vital and also he is an under appreciated master of the clock. Plenty of positives but I cannot warm to her winning. Fancy Blue sits right on the edge of unlucky and poor ride after her 2nd in the IRE1000G. The amount of work she had to do was enormous as was her effort to finish the way she did, of the two Tabor fillies she would be my preferred option. The ground has turned up right for her, PCB will get the leg up and the distance should not be an issue either. It would be some training performance from Donnacha to get her to win this on only her second run for him. Her price has been increasing through the week so that is off putting but the stars are somewhat aligning for her and she has a real EW chance. Alpine Star is the worthy favourite for the race. A defeat of an Irish Derby winner at 2 and a winner at Royal Ascot at 3 she has the right credentials. I have reservations over some of the performances of horses she beat in the Coronation however. Sharing ran well but the US arent known for their milers, So Wonderful plugged on well in the IRE1000G but was going backwards late on and Quadrilateral was shown her backside by Love as was Cloak Of Spirits at Newmarket. The one question that has a definitive answer is the clock and Alpine Star performed superbly on that at Ascot. This race is coveted by the Niarchos Family and Jessie Harrington has consolidated her place as a trainer of ultimate quality but I’m looking elsewhere at the winner and my gaze is at RAABIHAH. Jean Claude Rouget is a man who sticks to a plan. His Diane winning fillies either run (and win) the Pouliches or go to the Saint-Alary beforehand. Raabihah has done neither. Stick with me here! Debuted over 2000m this must have been a wild target for her at the time given she started at Cagnes. A wild target in a wild year. Plans out the window now, Shadwell had a straight pick’em and they plumped for her. I think she is tough, quick when she needs to be and has a tremendous partner on board. She can sit just off the pace wherever it may come from and strike with that McLaren turbocharger. Speak Of The Devil is a real quandry. Talented though she is, her antics within the race are a worry and given her running style she will encounter issues once again in this race. They may turn tactics completely on the head and try her prominent. If that is the case, watch out.

2020 Prix Du Jockey Club Preview

Change. It comes with many guises. Good, bad, forced and sometimes in coin form too. We can all recount a story for each with the ease of listing your families names or horses that have carried that coin form to victory. With any positive change we must regretfully suffer the other pole of the spectrum; bad or forced. The latter is where we have stood for over 100 days now and the grand fête of Prix De Diane & Jockey Club day in a sun-kissed Chantilly will lack its colour, its glamour, its congregation but perhaps the most important. Its joie de vivre.

Fear not, as we endure this seemingly never ending campaign of terror upon the world, a change for good will come again. We will trade the facemasks for smiles, the waves replaced by hugs and the empty stands for the grand fêtes that have been confiscated. For now.

One thing that will forcibly change is the Prix Du Jockey Club winner. Sottsass bore the crown for a year and a new King must be crowned on Sunday. Let’s change the mood and get stuck into the runners eh.

VICTOR LUDORUM

As children we are told of fairytales. Dopey we may be at that young age we delighted in hearing of the stories in which you can swap a cow for magic beans or change your life for the better and be given a golden goose. Fairytales were then cast onto the big screen by Walt Disney. Crowds would flock to see them and leave not Grumpy or Bashful but Happy. The great animator himself would struggle to believe the fairytale that lies ahead of Victor Ludorum.

The royal blue of Godolphin has been carried only once to victory in this most historic of races. Frankie Dettori and Shamardal formed a fierce alliance in 2005, winning 6 of their 7 races together including 4 at the grandest of tables; Group 1s. A partnership as strong as that of the Brothers Grimm one may say. Twleve years later in 2017 the late champion sired Victor Ludorum. Following in his fathers footsteps, Victor has lost just one of his 5 career races to date and formed a fierce alliance with Mickael Barzalona. The myth of him not training on and floundering at 3 as his siblings have done was firmly Snow White’d in the Poulains. Cruising past the 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300 and finally the 1400m pole he revved up and bound clear in the final 100m. Eight up for his princely trainer and the premier victory for his ally Mickael. Yet to race over 1600m+ we venture into the dark forest with the Jockey Club throne as our guiding light but what a story it would make.

If dreams do come true and fairytales become reality, the Brothers could not invent one any better than this. We will never know if Sheikh Mohammed himself is a fairytale follower but should his homebred heir return the riches of Chantilly to the Dubai ruler 15 years on from his maiden, well it would just be happily ever after.

OCEAN ATLANTIQUE

The dynasty of Coolmore has no equal. Their ability to breed talent, spot talent, cultivate talent and most importantly showcase talent is unrivalled. Their changes for good in the Racing world are based exactly where they should be, on four legs on the biggest and most grand pistes in the world. They’ve had them all from homebred staying superpower Yeats to champion of champions Galileo, wondermares such as Found and the eagle eager eye of MV Magnier and his family have spotted talent from speedball Choisir to the history making American Pharoah.

It is the latter we look to with Ocean Atlantique, now even Coolmore will admit they didnt get much coin form change out of their €1,100,000 purchase but he could change their future immeasureably. Iron runs through the veins of the 3yo thanks to his dam’s sire Giant’s Causeway. A big strapping sort himself he has a way to go to emulate the palmares of his grandfather but he is sailing the right seas.

A record the “lads” will be happy to change for the better is of theirs in the French Derby. The famous tangerine Tabor silks have once been victorious with Montjeu but those of the Magnier family are yet to taste the celebratory Chantilly cuvee.

It took until a summery Saint Cloud september afternoon for Andre Fabre to unleash Ocean Atlantique and a second on debut is hardly to be scoffed at. Wrongs were changed to rights in an 8L demolition next time up and the maiden tag shed. The winter came and went as did the early spring. The gates of ParisLongchamp flung open on May 11th (for horses anyway..) and three days later Ocean Atlantique was back in business in the G3 La Force. Caught on the rail and in the pathway of a reversing Another Sky, second would have to do again behind Pao Alto. Wrongs righted once again on his next run in the Listed de Suresnes this time by a mere 5L demolition.

At home over 10f as was his father and grandfather, can Ocean Atlantique navigate his way to the Winners Enclosure at Chantilly and change his and Coolmore’s history for the better?

PAO ALTO

Change is frequent in Palo Alto. The place, not the horse whose name shares such resemblence. It is a true centre of excellence. Without this small corner of San Francisco we would not have life-changing spies companies such as (breathe): Google, Facebook, Apple, Paypal, HP, Dell, Xerox, Skype and Tesla. The final enterprise on that list is perhaps the most exciting, most forward thinking and most ludicrous. One fact remains however, horsepower is the name of the game for Tesla, the brainchild of lunatic maverick Elon Musk. Their desire to prove they are the best whilst maintaing all the style, glamour and substance is endering and these qualities are retained in the Christophe Ferland trained Pao Alto.

Pao Alto is visually one of the most beautiful chestnut colts you could possibly see with a flash of milky white on his left fore and an emblem-esque diamond between his eyes. Style. Owned by the uber elegant Wertheimer et frere he carries the famous sky blue and white silks that have bibles of Group wins to their name. Glamour. Beaten only once on his debut he has conquered a mile and graduated to ten furlongs too picking up the Group 3 La Force on the way. Substance.

He like the two before has champion blood racing through his veins. The son of 2013 winner Intello, he would take Gerard et Alain to two wins in the Jockey Club putting them ahead of their illustrious father Jacques and the patriarch of it all (their grandfather) Pierre. Pao is not a homebred as many of the brorthers horses are but heck, they cannot get much closer than having a son of their first Derby winner.

The La Force was a real triumph. The metal broke from the latch and he was out and away, relaxed for the first 400. Showing fine balance on the long downhill sweeping of ParisLongchamp he turned into the false straight tracking the rear end of Ocean Atlantique. A jolt of this head to the left told Guyon which way he wanted to go and when the air cleared he took off. One swipe of the foam was enough and a few bumps from Max saw him home comfortably ahead.

He will get to see, like Tesla, if he can be the best this Sunday where it matters most. On the turf at Chantilly.

MISHRIFF

What were we saying before about fairytales? Believe in something and you can achieve it. Make Believe in something and anything is possible! A fourth entrant into the race with champion blood in his veins, Mishriff is the son of the 2015 Poulains winner and the pride and joy of Prince Faisal Al Saud. It would also provide a fairytale culmination for his trainer John Gosden. The master of Clarehaven has triumphed in almost all the Classics you could name. The (Epsom) Derby? Got two. The (Epsom) Oaks? Three of those. Irish Derby? Yep, tick. Irish Oaks? Of course, next. Hollywood Derby? Hell yes. Prix De Diane? Oui. Prix Du Jockey Club? Ah, erm...

The elsuive Prix Du Jockey Club remains the outstanding empty square in his sticker book of Classics. It has been lean pickings for the master trainer since 2000 with 4th being his highest placed finisher too.

In the five races in Mishriff’s career he has filled all the places, 4th on debut before 3rd next time up. Skipping a place to win by as far as he wanted at Nottingham to end his season he returned with a 2nd in the Saudi Derby. His UK reappearance was a romp on the Rowley Mile. Posted on the flank by David Egan he had tremendous balance in the dip and despite having the whole of Newmarket to his right he kept his head down and his line almost straight to win by 4L. The form of his Newmarket Stakes win has twice been franked by Volkan Star and Al Aasy so tick that box as well.

What were we saying before about change? It would be for the ultimate good should John Harry Martin Gosden complete his sticker book of Classics.

THE OTHERS

Port Guillaume - Jean Claude Rouget has been the man for the big occasion in this race winning three of the last five. His 2020 entrant whilst having a record of straight 1′s has to make the almighty leap from Class 1 to Group 1. A prominent front runner he will be the horse to watch and the gauge by which we measure the ferocity of the race. Not ruled out but it is a thankless task making the running in a race like this and questions remain over his quality at the level.

Ecrivain - The final orders bell is ringing in the Ecrivain Arms. A real talking horse coming into the season he finished 2nd in the Fontainebleau ahead of Victor Ludorum but was firmly put to the back of the class in the Poulains. Excuses have been graciously allowed given the virus rampaging around the Laffon Parias yard at the time but now its time to put up or shut up. Unfortunately the latter seems the more likely option.

Hurricane Dream - Those fairytales get everywhere! Jumps trainer Mickael Mescam would send shockwaves around the world should his colt be victorious. Team Valor were quick to swoop in after his win in the provinces and their judgement was justified as he swept aside a talented field over course and distance last time. Another making the leap from Class 1 to Group 1 he may have the class to challenge for places in this race and more should a few underperform.

The Summit - A real surprise package at 3 he has outperformed expectations time after time after time. His win in the Fontainebleau upcycled to 2nd in the Poulains and with a new set of emperors silks this could be his swansong in France. Alex Pantall has worked wonders with him and with Peslier in the plate anything is possible.

San Fabrizio - If you watch his last race you’ll be bamboozled as to the run he gets. Or well doesn’t get! PCB appeared to have boatfuls left in his hands but with nowhere to go he simply had to ride out at no more than a trot. He was behind Pao Alto on debut but that was a long time ago now. Soumi rides so he gets a boost but coming off the pace at Chantilly in the Jockey Club and having to be 4 or 5 wide? Tough ask.

VERDICT

First of all, expect a messy race. This event is rarely without a gripe from at least one participant and with only a thin strip of perfect ground at Chantilly everyone wants a piece that they cannot have. Second of all, stay away from the rail unless you are clear in front. It cannot be emphasised enough how important it is to treat that rail like an enemy if you are trying to come off the pace.

Victor Ludorum was mine and many many others guy for the Poulains and he will retain that with those many many others but not me. His win at Deauville was sensational but there was mitigating factors that day. His proximity to the rail from the start and the open runway he had to stroll down thanks to Alson being the main two. Fabre cannot hide his affection for this horse but is he better over the mile? We’ll see. Stall #1 isnt exactly super for him being a hold up horse, he could get a whack early on as they break and that may trap him in the group as they fall towards the rail. Pao Alto was superb when winning the La Force under Guyon. The doubt creeps into the mind about the state of the Fabre string during the opening period however. Did he catch his opponents on an off day? Maybe. Did he capitalise? Certainly. He appears to have the substance for the trip but will he be able to keep up now the pack have caught up too? Maybe not. He has not raced since that day and that too could be a concern. Stall #9 for him and that is about where you’d want to be. OCEAN ATLANTIQUE will have the perfect man on board for this race. PCB is imperious around the undulations of Chantilly. He will devour the distance and he is more than quick enough to win despite posting a slow time LTO but he did win by 5L. The tactics employed in the Suresnes could work wonders given his pace and his jockeys ability to dictate a race but he is likely to have company upfront with Port Guillaume and The Summit in there too. The undoubted ability at staying the trip is hugely beneficial to him and will count hugely later on as they climb up the straight but it must be said that the red diamond on PC’s helmet could work as a real target. He was given a raw deal in stall #14 but the long run to the bend at Chantilly will give PC time to look at the pack and pick his best hand to play on a versatile horse. It would be a story told for years if Hurricane Dream could win for Mescam & Team Valor and he has a chance to finish in the top 4 without doubt. Eyquem has been given the steering wheel and stall #11 is prime real estate also.

In my opinion, the seas of change will blow the way of Ocean Atlantique and Coolmore team itheir first Prix Du Jockey Club in the colours of the Boss.

2020 Poule d’Essai Des Pouliches Preview

A poll taken in 2018 detailed that women were indeed stronger than men in certain situations, one of which was famine. For as long as I have had the pleasure of being woven into French Racing, there has been a consistent strength and it has been in the fillies and mares. Year on year they excel and shame their male counterparts. There is never a shortage of talent surging through. It is a showreel worthy of Hollywood glamour or a Chanel Paris Fashion Week catwalk. Count them; Treve, Avenir Certain, La Cressonniere, Qemah, Senga, Sistercharlie, Ervedya, Esoterique and Solemia amongst others. Strength and in numbers too.

The 2020 renewal of this race oozes strength and for the third time will take place on the Deauville catwalk of Normandy.

Onto the runners!

SIMEEN

The phrase “slow and steady wins the race” is of little to no use in Racing apart from when the patience trinity of Soumillon/Rouget/Aga Khan come into the focus out the back of the television infact take a quick flick through the dictionary and filed under Patience you will find a picture of Christophe Soumillon.

France is home to many a great thing with food and art amongst them, but it is the latter that Soumi has been crafting and mastering within this fickle, volatile and downright conscienceless trade for year after year. The art of patience. His ability to patiently scrutinize pace and space before engineering then maintaining the perfect position for his faithful companion is seldom rivalled.

Simeen, Simeen, Simeen, Simeeeeeeen (as Dolly Parton once said) is a trademark Aga Khan filly. Size? You bet. Smarts? Of course. Elegance? Unquestionably. Her debut on a cold wet Wednesday at Saint Cloud showed class, arrogance almost, but also initial (albeit) minor flaws. Her relaxed attitude in the early parts saw Soumi give her a bump and the misbehaviour taking the first bend gave out small warning signals but from then on she was all class. Gliding past horses through the slop she then cocked her head towards the stands and roared “WATCH THIS” passing the 100m pole and clearing further away under a motionless Soumi. Clairefontaine was easier. Much easier. The blemishes from earlier wiped away. Composed throughout she Moses’d her way through the parted seas and for the final 400m she was arrow straight and in glorious isolation. A bodyswerve from the Grotte saw her take the (easier) Pistole at Chantilly comfortably and in true patience trinity style with Jean Claude Rouget even reaching out to call the race “Not difficult”.

Talent flows through her like the Seine through Paris, she has done it on all grounds and comes into the race fresh and in the care of the Pouliches almighty guru Jean Claude Rouget. Questions abound; Will the famous patient tactics work? What about the draw? Is she quick enough?!

Patience folks - we’ll find out!

TROPBEAU

My lords and ladies, may i introduce you to one of your own!

From blue-blooded breeders to a blue-blooded owner and finally her racing royalty trainer, Tropbeau appeared built and bred for the big stage. Alas, her debut over 1100m went as poorly as the decision to close the track the race took part at. A good old chinwag would take place and the decision was made; she was to step up to 1400m. A mighty fine chinwag and decision it was indeed. Count them, six and a half lengths at Clairefontaine, two and a half lengths in the Group 3 Six Perfections and then a repeat dose in the Group 3 Calvados. Both at Deauville I must add (albeit on the round course). Eleven and a half lengths later she was on the Eurostar to Newmarket. France conquered - England you’ve been warned!

Respected as all Fabre runners are at Newmarket she was lifted off her feet by the hare-brained pace the field set off at. Barza bumped and begged her to go faster. Pleading almost at one point. Last into the dip she was in no mans land. Lightyears from the rail, horses stacking up in front of her and the only remaining gap closing like a set of automatic fire doors. Barza was having none of it. Through he went and with ammunition still stockpiled she went off like a gun up the hill before being blindsided by Millisle and her chances ceased. Fabre was nonplussed, “She may have come 2nd” said the master trainer. Regally honest.

The thing about blue blooded individuals is that their time of power is seemingly infinite. Things around them change but the status quo does not. The reign of Andre Fabre and Mickael Barzalona in the Prix De La Grotte has the air of a monarchy! Count them again; 8 for Fabre and a hat-trick for Barzalona. Tropbeau crowned herself Queen of ParisLongchamp when seeing off Dream And Do in comfortable fashion whilst showing her ammunition stockpile had barely been touched. Blue blood is widely associated with power - a trait and also a trademark she definitely has (in stockpiles).

THE OTHERS:

Dream And Do - A rather delightful motto to live your life by isn it? Dream And Do. Simple and straight to the point. This daughter of Siyouni is much alike to her name. Five races, three wins. 2nd in the Grotte she gave a minor scare to Tropbeau before being put away. Twice a winner on a straight track, this may be the key to her landing a blow on the top two. Frederic Rossi has been effusive about her saying, “I think she is very good...She has definitely improved since last time.” She will need to and then some in my opinion but drawn in 3 she will get a chance to grab the golden rail.

Tickle Me Green - 2011 was the last time a German owned horse claimed victory in the Pouliches. Dropped into the Fabre yard at the start of the season after a transfer from Markus Klug, the daughter of Sea The Moon placed 3rd in the Grotte on her first run in France. She emerged almost as a domestique that day for Tropbeau and may repeat this role again on Monday however the draw could have been kinder. Fabre’s main target for her is the Diane so expect her to run well but possibly bow out when the going gets brisk with other grand plans on the calendar.

Marieta - Well at least Mauricio Delcher Sanchez is honest and forthcoming, “The straight track does not play in our favour. It is not ideal for horses who have limited stamina, unlike a turning track where they have chance to get a breath.” Tough to fancy before (even with her 2nd in the Boussac) and a wider berth will now be given.

Speak Of The Devil - A headscratcher. But in a good way! A winner in the mud at Deauville she was green that day bumping the rails like a bowling ball but showing enough to beat subsequent winners Bonne Idee and Cleante who are both very well regarded fillies. 2nd behind (Poulains contender) Shinning Ocean at ParisLongchamp she was made to wait and wait and wait before getting a clear run at which point 2nd was the best outcome. She hammered through the line and caught the eye. If she handles the ground she really could give the headliners a scare. Pasquier prefers Mageva (weirdly!) however she will also get to eyeball and track Tropbeau drawn in 7.

It is difficult to see any further runners having a chance given the conditions and strength of the race so they have been omitted.

THE VERDICT:

I hate cliches but it really looks a two horse race and the best horse will likely win.

On one hand you have the undoubted pace and thick blue-blooded form of Tropbeau. She’s been to the dance and got the rosettes to show for it. A powerful show at ParisLongchamp saw her eyeballed by two competitors before putting them away in superb style. The other hand you have SIMEEN who im going to side with. A wide draw is not ideal but around her you have the prominent runners of Tickle Me Green and also Desobeissance and in her three previous runs before, she has been posted wide(ish) and won well. I don’t believe the idea that Simeen isnt as quick as others - in my opinion she hasn’t been able to fully extend as nothing has been able to go with her for so long or nothing could get far enough away from her. Knowing this, Soumi’s scrutiny of pace will be key and if he can keep the short leash on Tropbeau and use the pace of TMG and Deso to drag herself into the race, there is no reason why she cannot go past them all. Patience. Patience Patience! Speak Of The Devil could also be a good EW play if any firms offer an extra place on the race.

2020 Poule d’Essai Des Poulains Preview

It’s been a while. A long while. But we are back and giving it another go!

A tumultuous year off the piste has gifted us a titanic tussle on it. When all was rosy in the Racing garden, the French Government scythed down the ParisLongchamp plan for the Poulains. Fear not as the affable, enigmatic and folically gifted Olivier Delloye cleared the table and pivoted to a charming corner of Normandy!

A straight mile for a Guineas? Wonderful idea! No UK or Irish based horses? Wonderful-(ish) idea! Not that they’ve won many recently anyway. No crowd? Well that’s pretty grim but rules are rules.

Onto the runners!

VICTOR LUDORUM

Shamardal this, Shamardal that. Shamardal for you and Shamardal for you too! Victor Ludorum (a Shamardal colt) was an immovable object from the Winners Enclosure throughout his 2yo career. ParisLongchamp was his particular playground of choice, breaking his maiden there by 3.5L (that could have been a lot more) and having his finest hour in the G1 Jean Luc Lagardere beating Group winners Alson, Armory and Ecrivain of whom we will encounter next.

Posters were up, the word was out. Victor was back. May 11th, ParisLonghcamp - tune your TV and watch the Prince on his pathway to his crowning.

Drawn on the Phillipe Chatrier court at Roland Garros and given his relaxed style of exiting the stalls it was not a shock to see him mid division and holding his own just off The Summit. The shock however came at the long sweeping bend at ~600-800m. Victor pulled the arms out of Mickael Barzalona’s sockets. Previously keen at this point in the Lagardere it was much more pronounced but he settled somewhat entering the straight. It would have been quite the effort to peg back The Summit who had set off with a wet sail and he was nursed home by Barza for 3rd. The crowning has been furloughed.

Undoubtedly below his best and suffering from ‘Fabre-itis’ that punished the Petit General’s yard in the opening week, an upgrade will almost be demanded from him and an upgrade he will likely give us. Barza was quoted as saying, “I’m not worried about what happens next” - so why should we be?!

ECRIVAIN

We’re blessed with 5 senses; sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing. The brothers Wertheimer know a few of these closely, nay, intimately and on a grander scale than most can imagine. Smell, the fine scent of their grandfathers Chanel No5. Taste, the vintage rouge of their Margaux & Saint-Emilion vineyards. Touch, their (ahem) tasteful swimwear and lingerie collection. Sight, the hands ticking on their Bell & Ross chronometers. The remaining sense is hearing. Hearing their name announced as the winner of the Poulains has been absent since Falco in 2008. A period too long for winners like the Wertheimers. Entraineur Carlos Laffon-Parias knows all of this well. Victory in 2008 belonged to him also. Much like their Margaux, it was a vintage year for the Poulains. Rio De La Plata simply could not get near him.

Ecrivain is his latest project. 2/2 to start his career, including a G3 on just his second run, he finished 4th in the Lagardere whilst both catching the eye and frustrating his patrons at the same time. For his comeback in the Fontainebleau, look to the previous sentence and multiply. Simon Rowlands’ Sectionals show he should have finished closer and he probably would have had he not taken the sceneic route through the Bois Du Boulogne. It was one you sensed that Maxime Guyon would want back.

He isn’t shy to the front of the field, often sitting in the passenger seat beside the pack driver so look for him to be on the scene again at Deauville. The orders from CLP were to “Wait, Finish and Not Hit” - one would imagine Max will hear different ones next time.

THE SUMMIT

Expecting Alson? Sorry not sorry.

Henri Alex Pantall trains the son of Wootton Bassett for Jacques Cygler at his staggeringly beautiful yard in Beaupreau around 400km west of Chantilly. The name Jacques Cygler may be memorable to you thanks to his wondermare export Sistercharlie.

The Summit does not have the sexy row of 1′s you get visiting the Victor Ludorum page or the 100,000€ fee you have to pay for a dance with Lope De Vega to produce Ecrivain but he has run, and run, and run. Up and down the distance ladder from 1300m to 1800m and another rung up to 2000m it seems the Cygler/Pantall equipe decided that the perfect spot is 1600m.

A win on his debut over the distance at Lyon Parilly and a second in a true slug fest at Saint-Cloud on poor ground he would never die wondering. Flash out the gate and prominent throughout is the method to which he lives by. This would prove to be a perfect tactic when teamed up with crack rider PC Boudot in the Fontainebleau. Yep you guessed it, the gates were open and he was gone. Out and away he played the field in a way Ivan Hajek would have been impressed with. Relaxed around the bends when others floundered, nose forward and ears back he sauntered to the 400m pole and found himself a length clear. That length then became three at the 200m pole and PC gave him a polite tap whilst observing those behind before giving it the full betting shop punter fist pump.

Pantall made it known he had grown and “thickened” over the winter. Another duet with PC Boudot has not materialised unfortunately but fear not, Olivier Peslier has been legged up and he isn’t shy of the Winners Enclosure. A victory here would complete the Poulains/Pouliches set for Alex Pantall and in consecutive years too. A summit thoroughly achievable.

THE OTHERS

Contenders, are you rrrrready?!

Alson - The first of Andre Fabre’s two other contestants, he was 2nd in the Lagardere sandwich under Frankie Dettori before going on to on to win a farce of a G1 Criterium International at ParisLongchamp beating Armory. This will be his first run under the Masters tutelage but without a prep run and the original aim of Newmarket, could this be a stepping stone to something like the St James’s Palace Stakes at the (not so Royal) Royal Ascot? Hard to trust.

Arapaho - It wouldn’t be a Classic without the navy of Mrs Sue Magnier now would it?! Andre Fabre’s third dart at the board was given a slight headache over 1400m by Mageva but he was plenty worth his win and has one of the most wonderful actions. Untested at the distance and uncertainty around his rider makes me uneasy on his chances. It would be a special day for his breeder; Mme Elisabeth Fabre. The choice of PCB, the interest has already rocketed and his price shortened.

Celestin - Twice a winner for Fabrice Chappet including a romp of a Listed win at Toulouse on foul ground he was competent in his return at Chantilly behind Reshabar for the local owner/breeders Normandie Pur Sang. It would be the sweetest of wins for them but a shock result.

Kenway - An admirable foe if ever there was one. Frederic Rossi’s charge has put his gloves on, mouthguard in and gone through the ropes with all of the big hitters listed above. A particular distaste for The Summit would be permitted given his 5th in the Saint-Cloud slugfest and the 4th in the Prix Fontainebleau. You won’t miss him - coming late with his head in the air and thick milky noseband pressing through. A place option at best.

Reshabar - Far from a penalty kick for Markus Munch it would symbolise a rapid rise for the son of Ifraaj who defied 59/1 odds to break his maiden in a Class 1 race at Chantilly. On the day he was quite brilliant from the front but the same strategy this time will undoubtedly come with company. Field’s rag.

Shinning Ocean (Supp) - The Prix D’Escoville winner was parachuted into the race by owner/breeders Normandie Pur Sang for a tidy sum. His performance at ParisLongchamp was a mirror to The Summit with Soumillon tugging the field along at a sedate pace initially. Coming down the hill at ~650m, the Belgian decided to find 3rd gear to go a length clear. The revs at 1000m had subsided again and the paced dropped as he was joined by Warzuzu. A slap round the chops at 1200m and he was gone. Two became four and peaked at five lengths clear before the cigar and slippers were out. Soumi is back for more and he has a score to settle with Ecrivain and is a very interesting runner for Christophe Ferland who is chasing his first Poulains!

THE VERDICT

Point 1: Pace will not be an issue. The Summit, Reshabar and Shinning Ocean aren’t ones for hanging around. Mix in the potential pacemaker angle of Alson and it’s a bit of a free for all that could get out of hand. In the passenger seat you’ll have Victor and Ecrivain with possibly The Summit joining them too should the pace dial needle push towards breakneck.

Point 2: Draw. Draw. Draw. The previous Poulains run at Deauville saw Brametot win from Stall 3 and The Gurkha from Stall 11. Helpful. Given the reduced number of horses we could see them all go to the middle or to the stand side rail or split into two groups. Given the temper of some runners and a wide track at Deauville you don’t want to be drawn next a basketcase but you wouldn’t mind a bit of pace either.

Point 3: Jockeys. Victor - check. Ecrivain - check. Kenway - check. Reshabar - check. The surprise came when Pierre Charles chose Arapaho over his Prix Fontainbleau companion The Summit who will now have the ever consistent, ever classy and evergreen Olivier Peslier on top. Alson is a gift for Cheminaud so the tactics on him still mystify.

All of these in mind I will unashamedly be sticking with VICTOR LUDORUM. Visually superb in the Lagardere and undercooked for his return expect a reinvigorated version and with the Petit General’s form turned up to 11 he is the one for me. It is difficult to see outside of the other major contenders filling the places and of the two I would count The Summit as his biggest challenger.

A Shamardal for France and maybe a Shamardal for England too?!

A final note - it was a real shame to lose Helter Skelter before this race as he would also have been a worthy adversary to those mentioned in the article.

Prix De Diane Preview

Once again it has been quite the sabbatical taken from blogging but why not have another go at something you love!

The 2018 Longines Prix De Diane has all the makings of a Classic (pun intended) with strong hopes coming from the Northern Powerhouse of the UK, the ever almighty county of Tipperary and the diamond in the crown of horse training; Chantilly.

2100m stands between 13 fillies and a place in the well bound history books of French Racing that is filled with greats including in recent years Treve & Zarkava.

(Image: France Galop)

It would be rude not to start with the “home team” and with a team that know exactly what it takes to be victorious in June at Chantilly.

SHAHNAZA (Soumillon/De Royer Dupre/HH Aga Khan)

The Aga Khan is the most succcessful owner in Prix De Diane history amassing a magnificent seven wins with his trusty lieutenant Alain De Royer Dupre training six of those including the all conquering Zarkava in 2008.

Shahnaza comes into the race undefeated as a three year old with wins at Saint-Cloud and ParisLongchamp. The first of those wins was by 4 lengths over an extended 10f and the second a little cosier looking in the formbook when she was victorious over Pollara by 1.5 lengths in the Listed Px de la Seine however it was a hands, heels and cigar out ride from Soumi.

The form of that final race has gone on to be franked in fine fashion with the Francis-Henri Graffard trained Pollara winning the G3 Px Royamount comfortably.

Whilst form is the major factor in decisions made in racing it is the spectacle she puts on and the manner in which she wins her races that makes her exciting. Soumillon is one of the finest judges of pace in the world and his release of power has (so far) been perfectly timed with this daughter of Azamour.

She is hugely popular and with very good reason. One of the most exciting fillies in training, she deserves to be the favourite for a race her owner, trainer and jockey cannot get enough of.

MUSIS AMICA (Barzalona/Fabre/Godolphin)

Can you call seven years without a win a place - a drought? Probably. The Diane has been a sore subject for the Petit-General since Golden Lilac’s win back in 2011 but he heads into the 2018 renewal with what looks like a rough diamond.

A late starter in her racing life she was without a loss until participating in the Pouliches at ParisLongchamp last month. A stone cold last turning for home she was fully exposed in the middle of the track (a full 10 wide of the rail) but flew home to finish 1.5L behind Teppal. There is staying on and then there is Musis Amica staying on.

A further look into the form book and you will see her beating (breathe in): Magical, Wind Chimes, Mission Impassible, Sea Prose & Amazing Lips. All of which are Group winners or placed in Group races. Some feat!

Much like Shahnaza, the talent looks to be there in bunches however the tactics will need to change as Chantilly is unforgiving if you are incorrectly placed on the track. A victory is not hard to imagine and would complete the Derby/Oaks set for Sheikh Mohammed & Godolphin.

WITH YOU (Lemaitre/Head/Strawbridge)

It started with a bang for Freddy Head’s daughter of Dansili. A six length win that could have been ten or fifteen or the length of the nearby Rue du Camp Canadien if she had wished it to be. A follow up win in a Listed race at Deauville left the world at her feet and firmly cemented in my tracker.

It was well known that after an atrocious winter in Chantilly, Freddy’s fillies were backward and virtually unraceable. Missed opportunities were beginning to stack up. Grotte, Penelope, Pouliches & Cleopatre all passed by without her taking to the track so when she met Laurens (more on her later) in the Saint-Alary it was a welcome sight and she put on a show again finishing a short head second to the 1000 Guineas second.

The rise of With You has coincided with the rise of jockey Aurelien Lemaitre. 28 wins in his breech pockets so far this season, he was offered the choice of With You or Luminate and he chose the Strawbridge filly. I have been a fan of this horse since she first won at Saint-Cloud and the drying ground will be no issue to her. You can expect to see her well positioned in the pack and from there on in - well anything can happen!

LUMINATE (Dettori/Head/Highclere)

Pop a couple of boxes down from With You at Haras De Quesnay and you’ll see the beautiful head of Luminate pop out.

A four time raced filly she has been progressing and progressing and progressing at a rate of knots since her debut and collecting wins along the way too.

Her battle with Homerique in the Px Penelope was dramatic and enthralling at the same time. Headed going into the final furlong, the brave bold crazy Peslier snuck up the rail past Cristian Demuro to snatch the victory. The Px Cleopatre was, much like the Penelope, dramatic and enthralling. Held up and stuck on the rail, door after door closed in her face. Lemaitre had enough and (recklessly) elbowed his way to the outside and let her fly to finish half a length second before being demoted to fifth.

Earlier this week it was announced that Frankie Dettori was to ride and that is a huge tick in her box. It is fair to say that she is perhaps one of the quickest fillies in the race and also one of the toughest but the drying ground looks to be a negative for her and Freddy Head has mentioned this in his pre-race build up.

HOMERIQUE (Boudot/Graffard/Ec. De Montlahuc)

€66,000 can buy you a lot of things. A new car, 2 new cars even! It is also the same amount that the Graffard and Montlahuc team parted with to enter Homerique into the Diane on Wednesday.

A twice raced daughter of Exchange Rate she is the least experienced horse in the race beginning her career just two months ago on the PSF at Chantilly. What a debut it was though! 8 lengths the margin of victory and her book firmly stamped with CLASSY.

The defeat to Luminate remains nothing to be ashamed of. In all honesty it appeared to be partly jockey error and partly greenness on her part as she seemed to relax in front slightly.

Make no mistake about it, this is a bold move from Francis Henri Graffard. Dropping her into a G3 on only her second race was brave but to supplement her into a Classic on only her 3rd start is ballsy! She is perhaps the X Factor for the home team but at the same time it could all be too much too soon.

(Pic: Zuzanna Lupa/ @zuzanna_lupa)

LAURENS (McDonald/Burke/Dance)

France has been a happy hunting ground for Karl Burke over the last 12 months with Unfortunately winning the Papin and stablemate Heartache back in third however you would imagine he would trade it all in for a win in the Diane.

A Group 1 winner at 2 and now at 3, Laurens is the most qualified horse in the race but all that goes out of the window on raceday. Her second to Billesdon Brook in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket is the best piece of form in the race and her win in the Saint-Alary showed determination and a heap full of guts. Ground will be no issue for this daughter of Siyouni as she has wins on everything but Heavy and the track should be no issue either with wins on right handed bends.

It is tough to define what you like about a horse at times and that is the case with Laurens. It may be the story, it may be the way she wins her races, it may be the fact that she is just honest and game.

It is probably all three if I am being honest.

HAPPILY (Moore/O’Brien/Coolmore)

Well it wouldn’t be a Classic without him would it! Aidan O’Brien makes the long trip from Tipperary to Chantilly with Happily searching for his first ever win in the French Oaks.

Yep, you read that correctly. Go back and read it again and try to keep your mouth closed this time.

A hugely promising filly at 2, she swept up Group races as if they were going out of fashion. The Silver Flash Stakes, the Moyglare and the Lagardere all in the bag in 2017. Times have not been as good this year however.

It is no fluke coming third in both the English and Irish Guineas but after all the exploits at 2 it is somewhat deflating. The way she was ridden in the two Classics did not seem to suit as there didn’t seem to be a change of pace. Make no mistake about it, she will stay and she can keep a gallop but can she win the Diane without a turn of foot with horses such as Luminate and Shahnaza potentially striking late?

Oddly for a Coolmore runner, there is no supporting cast. The pacemaker, the shield, the team tactics. Gone. This could be an indication that she could set out and attempt to steal the race from the front.

Other Horses:

Barkaa (Demuro/Rouget/Allen) A Group winning filly that is underwhelming. Fifth in the Pouliches she has won plenty of races around Marseille but does not seem to be at the level required to land a blow here.

Castellar (Peslier/Laffon-Parias/Darpart France) The (fortunate) winner of the Px Cleopatre runs for the red hot Laffon Parias yard with the wily old boy Peslier in the plate. She is a potential pace angle but her credentials fall short of the bunch.

Soustraction (Guyon/Laffon-Parias/Wertheimer) The second of the Laffon-Parias runners. A well beaten third in the Alary behind Laurens and With You she will have to improve to reverse that form and doubts over her and the trip.

Verdict

I am not a fan of making tips as they usually come back to bite you firmly in the backside however it would be wrong not to end with some form of decsion.

Shahnaza is the correct favourite in my opinion, visually she is superb and has all the hallmarks of a superstar. Her jockey is the best in the world in my eyes and she will take all the beating and she could even go on to win the Arc. Musis Amica will undoubtedly progress into a fine filly but I have worries over Fabre’s form in Group races this year and if she is held up once again it could be difficult to pass horses in the way she did at ParisLongchamp. Laurens would be the feel good story of the Diane were she to win. The main problem I have with her is the jockey. PJ McDonald is a Group 1 winning rider however he has never been round Chantilly and as mentioned before - it can be a brutal track if you are in the wrong place. Can he find the right place, will he be able to time the run right? Problems I would not like to have to think about.

I am putting my eggs in the WITH YOU basket however. This may be heart ruling head but I was hugely impressed with her return in the Saint-Alary and to finish so close to Laurens after missing so much of the season it made me wonder what is to come. The choice from Lemaitre was a huge pointer to whom he thinks is the better of the two and Freddy Head is a master with fillies so I am siding with her.

UK Odds 16/06: Shahnaza (3), Happily (4), Laurens, Luminate (7), With You (8), Musis Amica (8), Homerique (14) 16s BAR.

Prix Maurice De Gheest Preview

Its been a while. A long while! Nice to be back though! There’s no better venue to be at than Deauville in August, the Normandy based track hosts a whopping five Group 1 races and a Group 2 as a nice little accompagnement. Venture over to the track for one of the days of racing and you could have even come home in a new Renault thanks to a delightful little giveaway. Not quite the Range Rovers or Bentleys you get at Aintree and Newmarket mind! The Prix Rothschild was the first of the five Group 1s and that went back to Ballydoyle with Roly Poly narrowly getting the better of Via Ravenna and Siyoushake - anyway onto the reason you’re here! The main contenders for the Group 1 LARC Prix Maurice De Gheest:

Caravaggio heads the betting and the bookmakers think he is the one to beat. Astonishingly superb in the Commonwealth Cup he was lightning inside the final furlong going from third to first in a matter of strides. I was there - it was quite extraordinary. Unbeaten through four runs he travelled to Newmarket as a hot favourite for the July Cup and the wheels fell off. Never in it and well beaten by Godolphin’s Harry Angel - no excuses. The son of Scat Daddy steps back down in trip and that could be just what he wants to really hit that stunning stride we all saw at Ascot. The gears are there. The acceleration is there. Is his mind fully there? Aidan immediately spoke of this race after the July Cup and perhaps that was a sign that he does need 1200m rather than the extended trip he undertook at Newmarket. He carries a couple of pounds less than the field thanks to his youthfulness and has the best in the business on his back. Oh and don’t forget a pacemaker (that quite comically almost got the better of him at Newmarket) in Intelligence Cross thrown in there under the perennial Ballydoyle Clubman Of The Year Seamie Heffernan. I’d expect much better this time around from Caravaggio and I expect him to win.

Next up, the reigning, defending, 2016 Maurice De Gheest champion Signs Of Blessing. Six years young, the Francois Rohaut trained gelding put Profitable in his place when opening the season with a two length win in the Prix Saint Georges. Not only did he win by two lengths, he did so carrying five kilos more than the King’s Stand winner. Nails! Ascot was next up and it was a nightmare. The trainer reported he was prevented from rehydrating his horse despite France Galop informing the BHA of Rohaut’s requests. Signs finished a well tailed off eigth in the King’s Stand. Comments afterwards were less than friendly towards the Berkshire venue but expect no such issues this time around so we’ll go on and strike a line through that debacle. Trained for this race once again you can rely on him to put in an almighty performance and continue to do his trainer proud. I’m looking forward to him being much more hydrated in this and I expect him to return to his best form but can he deal with Caravaggio and give him weight? I don’t think so.

Rosa Imperial is the representative of the Petit-General and Godolphin. The thrice raced filly brings Listed and Group form to this dance at Deauville and is a lively contender without doubt. An interesting note on this daughter of Pivotal is that she was unraced at 2 and 3 but she has certainly made up for that since and it appears as though Fabre and Sheikh Mohammed’s perseverence has paid off. She is making the short hop and skip up to 1300m after wins coming over 1000 and 1200. The latter of those two wins came in the Prix de Ris-Orangis when overcoming horses including Rothschild second Via Ravenna. The step up will be no issue to her as she seemed to be doing her best work at the very end of the Maisons-Laffitte race. Barzalona had to utilise his persuasive nature to get her going but once he did she was not for stopping. A handy little tool in the vast arsenal at Andre Fabre’s yard she is currently third favourite and sits around what looks the correct price. It is hard to know what to expect from a filly with only three runs in her legs but she looks a big danger to the boys at the top and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her home first at the end of this race.

(pic: @annelouechevin) It’s been a busy month for Wesley Ward’s Bound For Nowhere. Ascot for the King’s Stand then back on the bird to Keeneland and now back to Deauville. Tiring just to think about never mind do! Much like Rosa Imperial there aren’t many miles on the legs of this three year old colt and this will be only his fourth career start. This will be only his second ever start on a straight course so that is worth bearing in mind. The engine that sits under that chiselled body has yet to be fully tested I would imagine and when it comes to runners from this stable anything can happen when they hit full stride and top speed. Bound For Nowhere will be ably assisted by Frankie Dettori, not a shabby pilot in the slightest. Ward is no stranger to winning Group races at Deauville having completed that level with the freakish speedball that is Lady Aurelia in the Morny last season. It’s a long way to come for a holiday so one would imagine that a big run must be on the cards. It is impossible to predict what this horse could be or what he could produce in this race and this is likely to be the one bookmakers have had most headache over when setting up an antepost market. Can he win? Of course. Will he win? Who knows!

(pic: @Zone_Turf) Nice to see you again Fas! Where have you been? It was four months ago we last laid eyes on Fas when he completed a Chantilly double in the Group 3 Ronde De Nuit in his typical no nonsense style. Attack from the front, catch me if you can.

This win was nowhere near as glitzy or visually impressive as his demolition of the field in the Prix Sigy but it was honest and it was gritty and honest and you can’t ask for much more than that. The form of his wins aren’t much to write home about however subsequent French 1000 Guineas winner Precieuse was in behind that day as was Group 3 Cornwallis winner Mrs Danvers. This is a step up for the Pia Brandt trained three year old and whilst he is gritty he might not be up to this class. One thing is for sure, he will make this into an honest race under Maxime Guyon. There will be no hiding places.

Other horses: Magical Memory - Consistent performer for the flying Charlie Hills yard he is going north of the 1200m wall for the first time and whilst he is a good horse there is likely to be better in this field. Brando - Third in the July Cup (ahead of Caravaggio) he is tough as teak and Kevin Ryan will have him ready to rumble. A real gutsy horse he is a Group 3 winner and Group 1 placed including third on Champions Day last year. He rightfully takes his place in this field & it would be no surprise to see him in the top 4. Tupi - A Listed winner for Richard Hannon he has come up against tough opposition this season and it gets no easier in this but he has been disappointing last three and tough to see him land a blow. Aclaim - Ran at Goodwood in the Lennox earlier this week finshing a bunched up sixth behind Breton Rock. Short turnarounds don’t get much leaner than this and it would be something special where he to be involved after such a tough race on Tuesday. THE VERDICT Group races in France have become increasingly messy this year and I’d expect nothing different from this. The field is likely to fan out across the track and it will be interesting to see the pace Fas and Intelligence Cross set coming from stalls 10 and 3. Expect the unexpected from Bound For Nowhere and don’t be afraid when Rosa Imperial looks in trouble; she won’t be. Fabre’s runner will keep finding and finding but she’ll likely find CARAVAGGIO too much. Signs of Blessing is a class act and should put Ascot firmly behind him but can he give all that weight to the Ballydoyle runner? I don’t think so. Enjoy the race!

Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Preview

The biggest race in Europe is on our doorstep once again! Longchamp is undergoing much needed modernising so the show rolls 50km north to the home of French thoroughbred training; Chantilly. The course itself is a right handed undulating track with a long back straight and a gradual rise of nine metres three furlongs from home making it one of the fairest tracks around.

We’re wasting no time let’s take a look at the main players for the 2016 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: Postponed The showoff Roger Varian’s four year old has had a flawless 2016 with two wins in Meydan, a Coronation Cup and the Juddmonte International at York. The versatility of the son of Dubawi is quite something. Not many horses have the stamina for 2400m and the speed for 2000m but he does and that should be keeping his competitors up at night. The ease in his defeat of Found at Epsom on Derby day serves as a reminder what he can do to top quality horses and those with top quality Arc form. Hushed, quiet, timid, call Roger Varian what you like he lets his horses do the talking for him and Postponed is standing atop the Arc de Triomphe belting out his credentials for winning this race. The only thing going against him? His age. Five year olds have a terrible record in the race with just Marienbard last winning in 2002! Likely to go off favourite (in the UK at least) he seems the one everyone has to beat. Catch him if you can.

Makahiki The next beast from the East I cannot pretend to know the form he brings from Japan but you don’t win a Japanese Derby the way he did if you don’t have some form of quality running through the veins. A son of Arc third Deep Impact he will look to do what fellow progeny Kizuna couldn’t and break the curse. Many people were quick to undermine and almost insult his win in the Prix Niel but there was plenty to like in my opinion. Off the track for three months he did enough to get the better of Midterm under a very careful and mellow ride from Christophe Lemaire. It wasn’t flashy, it wasn’t jaw dropping but it was just him. Winning by wide margins isn’t him. The furthest he has won by in his career is 1.75 lengths showing he does only what he needs to in order to win. Lemaire’s experience and knowledge of Chantilly is crucial. Lemaire’s relationship with his horse is strong. Lemaire could be the key factor if the he is to win. Money will come for him on the day, on course I fully expect him to be favourite with his travelling army willing to throw their Euros in his saddle. Can he end the wait for Japan and return a hero? Yes.

Found The bridesmaid No matter the big stage it seems Found is there. Breeders Cups, Champions Stakes, Arcs. She’s been to them all. A perennial second she saved her best run this season to finish second in the Irish Champion Stakes to the impressive Almanzor. Found has a sweet tooth for the autumn. The extra bit of toe she can get in seems to works wonders however a very busy spring and early Summer could catch up with her. Her Arc form is by far the best coming into this years renewal and you have to remember that given an easier passage through last years running at Longchamp she undoubtedly would have finished closer to the winner. The past is in the past however. Rarely do you see Aidan O’Brien go through a dry spot in Group races but it has been nine years since Dylan Thomas beat Youmzain by a head to win the Arc. An eternity for an organisation like Coolmore and what must seem a lifetime to their master trainer. His wait unfortunately will not end with Found.

Harzand The Derby winner If you asked Dermot Weld, the Aga Khan, Pat Smullen and just about every Irishman on June 26th they’d have said Harzand can win the Arc. Ask them again on September 10th and you’d get a very different answer. A dual Derby winner you cannot question his form, placed perfectly at Epsom and game as the come at the Curragh he seemed to need every inch of the twelve furlongs. Dropped in trip for the Irish Champion, he flopped. Struck into early on it was curtains heading down the back straight. Would he have won? It’s hard to say anything but no. One thing with him is clear, he is a stayer. A top class stayer. DK’s nosebanded warrior shouldn’t have anything to prove but his performance in the Irish Champion and his lack of speed means he has something to prove to me. Cold after a long break? Maybe. It raises questions you shouldn’t have before the biggest and quite likely final race of his career. Comments about the draw, the track and participation depending on work gives me colder feet and excuses are being laid hard and fast by Rosewell House. Can he win? I don’t think even Mr Weld would say yes.

Order Of St George The stayer. Order Of St George is the second of Aidan’s runners but arguably his most likely chance of the winner. The truest stayer in the whole field, an Ascot Gold Cup winner, a decisive Irish Leger winner in 2015 you just know the nine metre rise towards the finish is right in his wheelhouse and he will be ready to swing by anything and everything that can’t summon the energy to ascend it. Can a line be put through his second in the Irish Leger? Not for me. Can you forgive his performance in the race? Absolutely. His class is unquestionable, his stamina the same but his speed is the point at which questions can rightly be voiced. To the eye he looked sluggish at Leopardstown, given the slip early on by Wicklow Brave when it came to a furlong to go he was unable to kick, make up the ground and go past. Eyebrows arose. Doubts linger over his participation but there are no doubts whatsoever that should he turn up he will run a big race. A place at best.

New Bay The what could have been but could still be It’s been a tough year for the 2015 Arc third. A thumping from A Shin Hikari in the Ispahan was not the ideal way to start his four year old career under Andre Fabre yet a facile win in a poor Group 3 next time out showed the flame may not have gone out. Fast forward to Leopardstown and an honest fourth in what is quite clearly the best race of 2016 (Irish Champion Stakes) confirmed that. Midterm’s defection from the Arc means he will be the sole Juddmonte runner. A high profile exit such as that of Midterm could mean they expect a big run. Lightly raced with only three appearances this season he heads to Chantilly fresh but is he able to find his 2015 form again and overcome the ugly statistic that no French four year old colt has won the Arc since Subotica in 1992? You never know.

Other Horses

Silverwave - Back to back Group wins heading to the Arc is without doubt the way you want to go. A length winner of the Prix Foy over course and distance he is on the upward curve and warrants respect. Tenth in the Arc last year he has been to the dance before and for this waltz twice winner Christophe Soumillon is his partner. It would be some treble if he were to achieve it.

Highland Reel - The horse with more stamps in his passports than any other & the final horse in Aidan’s attack on the race. An enterprising ride saw him steal the King George at Royal Ascot and he’s likely to go from the front again here. It is tough to see him winning this race but his contribution will not go unnoticed should a Ballydoyle runner win.

Left Hand - Flying under the radar at a large price, Carlos Laffon-Parias’ filly has come closest to landing a blow on the wonder-filly La Cressonniere finishing just half a length back in the Prix Diane. Stepping up to the plate in the Prix Vermeille she got her Group 1 win over course and distance on Trials Day. Her form is some of the best and if you are looking for one at a bigger price that should stay she could be the answer. Reports are that she is lazy in her work but she looks anything but when its time to race.

Verdict

Postponed wins the 2016 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

It’s not original, it’s not flashy but it is difficult to see him getting beat. The best middle distance horse around at the moment looks to have the race falling into his lap and I will be backing him on the PMU come the day.

The fight for places in behind looks to be a wonderful scrap with cases to be made for almost all of the remaining horses. One at a bigger price that could run an almighty race is

Left Hand.

She is be my EW bet for the race at current odds of 20/1. Her form in the Diane behind La Cressonniere is solid and despite her lazy tendencies I am hoping for a big run.

Prix du Jockey Club Preview

It’s Derby season and hot on the heels of Epsom the French Derby takes centre stage at Chantilly.

Two thousand one hundred metres, €1.5 million in total prize money and a kings ransom in the covering barn make this one of the most appealing and coveted races in any racing calendar.

A gander at the previous winners of the Jockey Club is much like a stroll through the Thoroughbred Hall Of Fame. Plaques hang for the ‘99 winner Montjeu, ‘03 conqueror Dalakhani & '05 superstar Shamardal amongst others. And that’s just the horses!

Trainers with multiple wins in this famous race race include Andre Fabre with 4, Alain de Royer-Dupré with six and of course the immortal Dr Vincent O’Brien took one back to County Tipperary back in 1983.

A well known stepping stone to October’s showpiece, the Arc, it is a true test of a three year old colt and only nine horses have ever completed the illustrious double. It has been thirteen years since Dalakhani completed the feat, will we see another name added to the list this year?

Mekhtaal (Jean-Claude Rouget/Al Shaqab/Gregory Benoist)

Lofty expectations inevitably come with Sea The Stars colts & it was no different for Mekhtaal. Group 2 form is already inked in his book and that came in a six length demolition of an admittedly weak field in the Prix Hocquart at Deauville. You can often tell a horses ability by the way he acts when clear in front, Mekhtaal continued to put his head down and stride on with Benoist simply a well placed passenger. A big plus.

His trainer has previous with the race training Le Havre to victory in 2009 and the ability for Rouget to get his horses ready for the big races is undoubted. Another big plus.

There is however a nagging voice in the back of the mind whispering Zelzal. A stablemate of Mekhtaal he too was a fantastic looking wide margined winner of his two previous races before folding tamely when in against better horses in the Poulains.

“How can you compare the two?” I hear you say. Yes it is tenuous and there to be chuckled at but the added weight of favouritism looks likely to be added to his saddle cloth & alongisde Zarak and Bravery on the wide outside he will have to adhere to new tactics and may need to be dropped in. Is he good enough to grace his Qatari connections with their maiden win in the Jockey Club. Possibly.

Zarak (Alain de Royer-Dupré/HH Aga Khan/Christophe Soumillon) The talking horse of 2016 in France, Zarak is the son of wondermare Zarkava and supersire Dubawi & he looks custom made for middle distance domination.

The Aga Khan’s star colt held an unbeaten record heading to the Poulains but he (along with the rest of the field) suffered a thumping at the hands of Aidan O’Briens The Gurkha. An eased down fifth it is easy to imagine de Royer-Dupré and all of his fans will simply strike a line through the race and look to bigger and potentially better things towards the end of the season.

Holding pocket aces on poor ground, Chantilly’s recent deluge will very much play to his strengths and any further rain would swing the pendulum further in his favour. Progression is easy to envisage under the six time winning trainer but when push comes to shove will he want to win? If the ground does turn up heavy or soft you’d expect a quick break for the front and the rail from Soumillon with all digits crossed he can perform a feat he has yet to asked for and find enough to go past horses. Drawn in Paris it will take all of Soumi’s class to give him a chance.

A real player over what should be his preferred distance but an ability to forgive has to be heavily ingrained within to trust him again.

Foundation (John Gosden/Highclere Racing/Frankie Dettori)

Flying the flag for the UK at the top of the betting is John Gosden’s Foundation. The Prix du Jockey Club is one of the few races that has so far eluded the landlord of Clarehaven Stables.

A winner of the Group Two Royal Lodge at Newmarket he has yet to perform as a three year old finishing well beaten in a soggy Craven and a too-much-too-late effort in the Dante on the Knavesmire. The form of his win over the Rowley Mile has been well franked with Deauville (2nd) and Humphrey Bogart (4th) both taking their place at Epsom rather than Chantilly holding decent chances.

Foundation’s record on ground that is anything less than good is there to be scoffed at however his high knee action and his ability to seemingly stay on late in races does show that it could be rash to risk him out. Epsom was naturally the target for Highclere’s leading light however it seems that the ten furlongs at Chantilly would be the better for all.

Foolish to rule him out; a real dark horse.

Raseed (Freddy Head/Sheikh Hamdan Al Makoutm/Aurelien Lemaitre)

The Head family are cornerstones of the Chantilly classic. Patriarch Alec saddled three winners, son Freddy rode an equal amount and it’d be rude to forget Criquette training Bering to victory in 1986.

Raseed is the sole Head runner in the 2016 renewal and the son of Dubawi comes into the race with enviable form on ground that will be to the distaste of many others. In an odd running of the Prix Noailles he showed a great turn of foot to chase down tearaway leader Valenka before extending away by three lengths under the hands and heels of Aurelien Lemaitre.

A wonderful mover he seemingly skips across the top of bad ground and covers a frightening amount of distance in a matter of seconds. The sodden turf at Chantilly poses no fear for him & ten furlongs looks his optimum distance. It does not seem that it would take much effort for him to raise his game and make his presence felt coming from the low draw of 4.

A double figure price for him looks very generous and I would be disappointed if he is not in the frame.

Robin Of Navan (Harry Dunlop/Cross, Deal, Foden, Sieff/Tony Piccone)

If form is your game then Robin Of Navan brings the premier crus into the race. A Group 1 winner at two, he defeated Epsom Derby heavyweight Cloth Of Stars by two and a half lengths on bad ground at Saint Cloud. Roles were reversed on his reappearance over course and distance in the Greffulhe but it was a pleasing enough return one would imagine for connections.

Harry Dunlop reported a tough winter and training issues for his star before his comeback so that is something to bear in mind. The transition between two and three can be difficult and it will be interesting to see what he has to offer this year against horses that may have made the transition easier. The deteriorating ground is very much in his favour and could bring him well into the mix.

Widely available at a double figure price he has to enter thoughts as one of the mudlarks that may come to the fore in what could be a stamina sapping renewal. Questions remain however if he has retained the class of last year.

Imperial Aviator (Roger Charlton/Qatar Racing, D Hunt & Mrs E Markham/Oisin Murphy)

Supplemented for the race after romping to victory at Newbury, Imperial Aviator is hot property. Sheikh Fahad’s Qatar Racing recently paid their way into a share and it could be money well spent should he land a Classic.

Form anoraks will see rightly see his defeat of Derby contender Ulysses as a big tick in a box that many have not achieved however it is important to remember that it was only the second ever run for the Niarchos family colt whose form also has to be questioned and scrutinised ahead of his run at Epsom. A higher knee action than others it would appear that he may relish a softer surface and looks very comfortable over ten furlongs with stamina running through his blood. This race may be just a level above him & it would take an almighty leap to go from a Newbury handicap to a Group 1 classic but if two time Classic winning Roger Charlton thinks he is at that level it is at your peril not to listen.

Bravery (Aidan O’Brien/Coolmore/Ryan Moore) Another year, another pocketful of Group 1s for messers O’Brien & Moore. The Ballydoyle maestro sends Bravery to Chantilly in search of his first French Derby. The form of this son of Galileo isn’t much to write home about, fourth in the Irish Guineas he was beaten a long way from home under Donnacha O’Brien and if that is his peak offering then the Tipperary handler will return home empty handed once again. It shouldn’t be difficult to find positives in Aidan O’Brien horses but Bravery presents a lively challenge for even a Mastermind Champion. Ryan Moore in the saddle is a “gimmie” plus but from then on in it becomes a struggle. Being a son of Galileo expectations are that he will progress but even the wonder-sire has an off-day. Bravery shouldn’t win this race. The form simply isnt there, other horses in the field look much more forward and it seems as though reputation has got him the price he is. I’d have him at double the odds and he will do well to finish within the first six. Other notable runners: Dicton (Bietolini/Ng/Peslier) Three early wins including a Group 3 this season means he has earned the right to take part in this race, third behind The Gurkha in the Poulains he is unraced over the mile trip but he was making up lengths hand over hoof towards the end of the Guineas and he could be a lively outsider for a place especially with previous Jockey Club winning jockey Peslier booked. Almanzor (Rouget/Caro & Augustin-Normand/Eyquem) Third behind Dicton in the Group 3 Fontainebleau he has since gone on and recorded a Group 3 of his own defeating rival for this race Floodlight in a very easy manner. Soumillon has departed for Zarak and as far as negatives go, they don’t come more devastating than that. Ten furlongs poses no problem but he looks a small fish in a big pond and would do well to land a blow. Floodlight & Talismanic (Fabre/Godolphin/Boudot/Barzalona) Not expecting to see the names Fabre and Godolphin this far down the page I bet! Both of his runners come into the race with plenty to find against the horses at the head of the market. Floodlight brings in the better of bad form coming second to Almanzor and fourth to the excellent La Cressonniere but is is tough to see him overturning that let alone making any impact. Talismanic is a Listed winner at ten furlongs on heavy ground so his stamina doubts are less than others but at double carpet odds it is obvious to see how scared the bookmakers are of him.

Apilobar (Vermuelen/Augustin-Normand/Demuro) Ground is key to this horse, very much in his element on hock deep turf he is also a Listed winner but tailed behind Cloth Of Stars & Robin Of Navan in the Greffulhe. If the rain was to come down in gallons he could run into a place but any other ground he could struggle.

VERDICT A truly wide open renewal in which any horse can win. Mekhtaal and Foundation sit at the top of the market at skinny prices and with the ground as it is, it would take a brave soul to get fully stuck into either. RASEED (11/1) is the horse I am siding with. The impression he left over course and distance at Chantilly was spectacular, the form may not be the best but he looks a versatile horse who will benefit from a good pace and has shown he can strike with speed. Foundation is likely to be running on late along with Mekhtaal and they should fill the places ahead of Robin Of Navan and Imperial Aviator. I’m struggling to forgive Zarak his Poualins run and the bubble may burst in this race.

Prix D’Ispahan Preview

The 2016 renewal of the Prix D’Ispahan is somewhat of a sombre affair this year. Cirrus Des Aigles the 2014 winner has hung up his shoes and moved into retirement, Solow the devastating 2015 winner misses out through injury but the show must go on!

Chantilly once again deputises for the out of action Longchamp and many of the Parisian tracks characteristics are mirrored just 50km North. A wide right handed track with a sweeping bend and a fetish for grabbing the rail.

Freddy Head is normally the first port of call for this race with three of the last six winners but the Haras De Quesnay landlord is without a runner this year & the injury to Solow means it is likely we will not see a runner from his yard.

Second in line to the Ispahan throne is Andre Fabre with three winners albeit in sixteen years. The maestro has two time Group 2 winner VADAMOS entered alongside 2015 superstar NEW BAY.

Running over a mile must be a distant memory for New Bay (Vincent Cheminaud). Second behind Make Believe in the 2015 Poulains he has since worked his way up the wins ladder over 2100m in the Jockey Club and 2400m in the Niel before a third in the Arc over 2400m. A return to nine furlongs could be a good start to his season but it would be a step out into the unknown for Fabre however as none of his Arc winners have taken part in this race. If the Juddmonte owned colt was to run the idea would surely be to give the horse an experience of Chantilly ahead of a likely Arc campaign.

Vadamos (Pierre-Charles Boudot) started his 2016 season with a bang with an imposing win in the Group 2 Px Muguet ahead of Ervedya. Since the switch to Fabre he has won twice over 1600m so the step up should not be a problem for the five year old. The more likely of Fabre’s two entries the son of Monsun could, much like Solow, get better with age and whilst he would have to reach the next class level to win this race it would be folly to rule him out given his training from the maestro.

New kid on the block Francis-Henri Graffard is making waves in the French training sphere and wide margined Grand Prix De Paris winner Erupt (Stephane Pasquier) looks his entry. The Niarchos Family colt boasts an impressive pedigree and already has four wins under his belt including a Listed win on only his second start. The highs of his recent past slide slowly with the fact that he is unraced over anything shorter than 2200m and could quite easily be handicapped by his lack of pace. “He has wintered really well. He has matured physically... He is definitely a Group 1 horse over ten or twelve furlongs, especially in good ground”. Quality is undoubted with this horse and with entries at Royal Ascot in the Coronation & St James’ Palace it looks as though another tilt at the Arc is the long term goal. The longer the season goes on the better he will get. Looking over the quotes and form it would take some performance from him to win.

What would a Group 1 race in France be without a runner for the Group winning clockwork team of the Aga Khan, de Royer-Dupré & Soumillon? Group One globetrotter Dariyan (Christophe Soumillon) is their entry for the race. The four year old has stamps in his passport for Meydan & Sha Tin already this year but he saved his best for his home reappearance battling his way to a length win over Silverwave in the Prix Ganay at Saint-Cloud. In a recent stable tour de Royer-Dupré stated the horse is not fond of the undulations at Chantilly and prefers 2000m on good ground so that puts his chances of running in doubt however with the landscape as it is it could pay to see him have one more run in the hopes of pocketing another Group One.

Much like Erupt he would need to show more speed if he was to claim this prize but with Soumillon at the wheel anything is possible.

It has been thirteen years since Luca Cumani’s Falbrav took the Ispahan back over the channel, Mondialiste (Danny Tudhope) bids to do just the same for David O’Meara. It was a whirlwind 2015 for the Geoff Turnbull owned horse picking up a Group Three win at York, arriving just in time to win the Group One Woodbine Mile and losing out to Tepin at the Breeders Cup. An ex Freddy Head trained horse it would be a fitting return to France if he was to be victorious. A true miler, this appears to be the perfect race for him especially given his style of race running and explosive finish that is always required to win high class French races. The only blot on his copybook is his preference for left handed courses with all four of his wins over that particular layout. David O’Meara and team have a real dark horse on their hands if he turns up.

Other horses: A Shin Hikari (Yutaka Take) will fly the flag for Japan, twice a winner over 9f including a victory over Military Attack in the HK Cup he brings lightning pace to the race but could be thwarted by horses coming quickly off his pace. His long term goal is Royal Ascot so as prep runs go this is a classy one but easy to oppose. Silverwave (Maxime Guyon) bids to reverse form with Dariyan after his second in the Ganay, the Pascal Bary trained horse does always seems to be the bridesmaid however. He like many in the race appears to be at home over 2000m+ and it is difficult to see him getting involved at the business end.

My Dream Boat (Gerald Mosse) is already twice a winner in France when under the Soumillon effect. Soft ground and a step up would be required if he was to have a say with the jockey booking crucial if Soumillon takes the mount of Dariyan. The start to Clive Cox’s season does leave him with a chance however.

Wild Chief (Alex Pietsch) is yet to win in France and he once again looks out of his depth in this one.

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VERDICT

Many of the horses entered have loftier ambitions for the 2016 season and with few showing any 1800m form the race could fall into the lap of MONDIALISTE. It would be tremendous to see him pick up a deserved Group One for the UK and the O’Meara team. If the rains come then also expect a big run from Vadamos under the ever impressing PC Boudot and class could tell and see New Bay land a place on his 2016 reappearance.

Where now?

What a weekend! A sunshine baked Deauville opened its grand stage to the French 3yo colts for the 2016 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (the Guineas to you and me). French expectations of their colts had been set at the highest for many a year & the all star cast had assembled ready to let fly at the straight mile on offer. It could have gone better. Much better. Equidia described it as, “Duel de « Z » dans la Poule d’Essai des Poulains”. It was anything but. The question asked now is where now for these two fallen stars?

Zarak was the favourite, carrying an unbeaten record into the race he looked all over the horse to beat. A pedigree gifted from the thoroughbred gods left him very much the centre of attention. The Aga Khan’s bannerman was handed the 1 stall. A plum draw against the rail and the host to Pouliches winner La Cressonniere only twenty four hours earlier, everything they could have wanted had fallen into place pre-race. Christophe Soumillon is one of the best in the game. An alert starter with a cool head and an astonishing eye for position and timing. The “Green Turtle” had a battle on his hands early with Zarak pulling for his head. Travelling strongly it looked positive around halfway and the unbeaten record was still in sight however the turbocharged turn of pace in the middle of the track from The Gurkha put paid to his chances. Zarak finished an eased down 5th over six lengths behind. A shock? Absolutely. An underperformance? Possibly. A miler? Never. Where now for Zarak? A flick through the pedigree book shows him bellowing out for middle distance races. Look back to the replay and it shows him finishing arguably next best to the winner making up lengths hand over hoof on the far side group. Importantly he does looks Group standard. The Jockey Club looks tailor made for him and he will likely come up against known faces in Dicton (if supplemented) & George Patton. A fluent mover on any ground he should pick himself up off the green canvas and 8/1 currently he looks in with a decent enough chance of showing us the real Zarak.

Zelzal like his rival Zarak brought in an unblemished record. Setting the fibresand world alight with two wins at an aggregate of ten lengths over the required distance at Chantilly and Deauville. The switching to turf did not look to be a problem especially being a son of the legendary Sea The Stars. Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget was keen to step him up to 1800m for the Px de Guiche but his place in the Classic was undoubted. The Al Shaqab owned colt was supposed to be the speed horse, the one with the turn of foot that took him away from horses and put races to bed. That unfortunately didn’t happen.

Drawn in two, Equidia’s desired duel was on. A keen starter with headstrong tendencies he was quickly away and led the smaller near side group. In his other two previous starts a pace had been set & there had been horses to aim at, this time however the tables were turned and he was now in unfamiliar waters out in front with the track at his mercy. Last off the bridle after travelling well & with a furlong to go, Benoist asked him the question but the tank was empty and Zelzal helplessly faded out of sight and through the back of the television. Zelzal finished 11th well beaten and ahead of only two horses. Disaster.

Where now for Zelzal? Tough questions need asking of Zelzal those such as; is he good enough to be a Group class miler? Does he need it to be on a round course? Will he need to be dropped in? I believe he is a miler and a good one at that. It was a shame he didn’t turn up on the big day but it is not something to hold against him. Entries show he has tickets for the Jockey Club & Arc but it would be very surprising to see him run in either based on his performance but keep in mind that Rouget did want to test him over further so it is not beyond the realms of possibility. If he is a top class miler he could pop up in the Group One Sussex at Qatar Goodwood, the Marois at Deauville or Moulin at Chantilly. If not then a step down in grade to the Group Two Px Wildenstein could be there for the taking. If they want to step him up in trip and test his class over further races such as the Prix Guillaume d'Ornano or the Prix Dollar.

To me, French colts have been a tad disappointing over recent years and only few have reached their true potential but it seems very early to rule these two out of being top class. The potential is there, can it be shown fully? Absolutely.

French Horses To Follow (Part 2)

Antonoe (3yo Filly - Bary/Khalid Abdullah)

Antonoe is no dark horse. I’ll admit that. If she isn’t one of the most talented fillies in training then something isn’t right with the world. Pascal Bary must pinch himself every time she sets foot out on the gallops at Chantilly, the mesmerising filly out of First Defence has gifted him with two facile wins including the Group 3 Prix D’Aumale in devastating fashion. A subsequently found injury excuses her of seventh in the Marcel Boussac. A mile looks her distance with the potential for a little further in time and with entries in both the Newmarket and French Guineas the road looks to weave that way. I struggle to see her leaving France as the injury will surely be in the back of their minds and the potential for it to happen again would be heartbreaking. Chantilly could be a home away from home for her with an entry in the Diane later on in the year however only two horses in the last six years have won the Diane after being victorious in the Guineas. If she is over her injury and anywhere near her Aumale best then expect that trend to changed. It has been six years since the Pouliches was in the care of Juddmonte and for an operation of their size and talent it must feel a lifetime. The Prix de la Grotte is first up on her hit list for 2016 and wherever she goes over the year there will be plenty who follow. I would suggest you do.

Candide (3yo Colt - Fabre/Rothschild)

Remember Armande? Well the monarchy have another bullet in their three year old gun and this time its a colt called Candide.

Already a Group 3 winner over 1400m he steps up to 1600m in the Prix De Fontainebleau at Chantilly and puts his unbeaten record on the line against horses he will get to know very well over the course of 2016. The mile division in France for the coming year looks very exciting, there may not be an Air Force Blue but they will have a great time battling each other in tightly contested races.

Breeding would suggest a mile is his optimum distance. Lightly entered in the Poulains & Jockey Club he too could take his place at Deauville but the future remains cloudy with him. A little cut in the ground would be beneficial for him but the win at Saint-Cloud showed his action should suit any surface.

The placing of the Rothschild horses is often a big marker as they do not run for the sake of it. Tip-top condition is a given and with Pierre Charles Boudot likely to be in the plate all the boxes look ticked. Fabre will have many entries in the Guineas this year as always but Candide could be one of the best and your tracker is calling his name.

Andrea Mantegna (3yo Colt - Wildenstein/de Royer Dupre)

Unraced. Unproven. Exciting! I was pointed in the direction of this horse by a very knowledgeable friend as one to keep onside. A Giant’s Causeway colt, he will start life at 2400m at Chantilly in April with the Grand Prix De Paris likely to be his aim.

Take a trip back to 2015 when, during a stable tour, de Royer Dupre was quoted as saying Andrea was “a horse I like a lot”. Hot air? Maybe. ADRD did also say, “I really think that the 2-year-old colts are very promising”. Those two year olds are now three and under his care I wouldn’t expect much to have changed. Left in his box for the entirety of his second year it wouldn’t be much of a surprise to see him turn up at Chantilly looking a well built giant of a horse like his sire albeit one who will stay further.

De Royer Dupre is a serial Group winner amassing thirteen last year and 57 in total from 2010 onwards. You couldn’t want your horse in better hands.

Your tracker won’t have this horse available so write him down and keep it in a safe place within your notebook. Both you & I will be sending thank you’s to my very knowledgeable friend at the end of the year if all goes to plan!

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The final part of my horses to follow will be posted in the next few days.

French Horses To Follow 2016 (Part 1)

Spring has arrived and with it comes the fresh shoots of the 2016 Flat season. There is a feeling unlike any other in racing; the mornings are brighter, the nights longer and the true thoroughbreds are stretching their legs over and along the Newmarket hills and Les Aigles in Chantilly. Over the past 18 months I have become fascinated with French racing. Every little detail is unique from the horses to the jockeys and the visually stunning courses that are akin to a West End stage or the Saint Germain-des Près catwalk pavements.

From what has passed already in 2016 it looks as though the instantly recognisable houses of power hold all the aces and the following are a few horse that could leave their stamp on the biggest stages this year.

Zelzal (3yo Colt - Al Shaqab/Jean-Claude Rouget) By far the most visually impressive horse over 1600m so far this season. If this three year old were a boxer his record would show two fights, two knockouts. The son of Sea The Stars showed a deft touch on debut over seven furlongs to break his maiden & has since demonstrated his ability to overcome in running issues to outclass his opponents and dispatch them with ease over a mile.

It is perhaps too early to get overly excited however the devastating manner in which he has put races to bed shows the class that runs in his blood. Natural thoughts turn to the Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) held at Deauville this year and he does have his card stamped to get in. Rouget appears to have other plans however in an interview in April he noted that a tilt at the Prix de Guiche could be the route taken before a return trip to Chantilly for the Prix du Jockey Club. The Pau trainer has long been a fan of the Guiche with 3 wins in the last 6 renewals so the pathway leading to Chantilly and away from Deauville seems almost inevitable. An Arc horse? Maybe. Let’s cross the 2100m bridge first. One thing is for sure however, he is a Classic winner in waiting.

Takadiyr (3yo Colt - HH Aga Khan/Jean-Claude Rouget) Rouget and the Aga Khan have long been a force to be reckoned with and Takadiyr gives the impression that trend will continue this year. A son of the mighty Manduro, he like his stablemate, behaved extraordinarily well on debut at Chantilly back in 2015 as he was victorious by an eased down three and a half lengths under Soumillon. The well beaten second and third in the race have both franked the form since winning races and leaving the three year olds stock very high and his next run eagerly awaited. With another year under his belt expect to see a much bigger and well built horse much like that of Vazirabad his fellow Aga inmate and son of Manduro who thrived at three. Five years have passed since the Aga Khan last took to the Grand Prix de Paris podium but that could all change this year should Takadiyr get there. Questions remain prominent about this horse; can he step up and win over 2400m? will he be as good as 2015? where the hell is he? It is well worth keeping a spot in your tracker for this horse.

Armande (3yo Filly - Rothschild & Reilly/Fabre) As far as powerful double acts go, this is the top of the bill. The prestige of the Rothschilds meets French racing monarchy. Armande is unraced but with entries in the Pouliches, Saint-Alary and Prix De Diane the expectation with her appears to be very high. Impeccably bred out of the immortal Sea The Stars and a Listed winning mare the recipe for success may have been measured out perfectly. Her entry in the Prix Producer over 2000m on April 18 means the compass needle points towards her participation in the Prix Saint-Alary rather than the Pouliches with the Diane being her main Classic target. Fabre’s touch with fillies is marvellous, in recent years he has trained Esoterique, High Celebrity and Miss France all to Group wins. You would have to imagine that anything but Listed or Group victories with this filly would be deemed a failure. One I’ll be keeping an eye on.

Floodlight (3yo Colt - Godolphin/Fabre) An Army always need a Commander and leading from the front at Fabre’s yard for Godolphin is Floodlight. The ink in the form book displays a record of two wins from three races with his only blip coming in a Listed race at Deauville. La Cressonnière the winner of the race has since won two further Listed races and holds multiple Classic entries for 2016. His re-emergence at Saint Cloud proved valuable as Mickael Barzalona used only hands and heels to pick up the A Conditions win showing a clean pair of hooves on testing ground. I am always interested when a horse pulls clear so easily on bad ground and he booked his entry into my tracker on the back of this. It looks as though he will only improve for better ground further into the Summer. Entries for the son of Medaglia D’Oro include the Poulains, Jockey Club & Grand Prix De Paris but with a prep run under his belt it would appear as though the Poulains is next on his menu in just over a months time. It appears as though he will be the sole flagbearer for Godolphin’s French operation in the Poulains with expected help coming from across the Channel but this colt in my opinion has the class to hold his own without the cavalry from Newmarket taking their place.

The above horses are just a few in 2016 that I will be following and hope you follow too!

Part 2 expected within the coming days..

A green and golden Festival?

The phrase goes there are only two certainties in life; death and taxes. There are in fact three certainties in life in my opinion; death, taxes and JP McManus winning races at Cheltenham.

The green and gold hoops are without question the most famous colours ever to grace National Hunt racing. Dreams, bets, wishes even have been layed upon the colours either to get their patrons out of a betting hole or that one wish for Synchronised to win the Gold Cup and give his owner the ultimate prize. Many high profile owners have passed through National Hunt racing in front of the ever wide and watching McManus eyes but the latest challenge is to buy the best horses available wherever their barn may be. Heavy cash injections from Rich Ricci and the Gigginstown brothers dominate the market but the newest addition to the McManus team, one AP McCoy, could provide the edge that money sometimes can’t buy. The focus ahead of the 2016 Festival is that of the Ricci armada. Talents such as Min, Faugheen, Douvan et al are well documented and the record is most certainly becoming broken but quietly humming along in the background is the sound of JP McManus. The Limerickman is a well known gambler and he certainly has a few aces ready to be played.

Yanworth is quite possibly the most exciting novice to be trained this side of the Irish Sea in recent memory. Four appears to be the magic number for this horse, he was fourth in the Champion Bumper last year and since then he has gone four races unbeaten. Maybe the next four is how many lengths he wins this years Neptune by? The devastation he left over course and distance at Trials Day was something to behold and there seems to be no reason why the same kind of drubbing won’t be handed out on March 16th.

"I don't think I've trained anything like it. He's frightening - in a good way - and he could be very special." - Alan King

It will be nine Festivals since the immortal Istabraq won the then Royal Sun Alliance Novices Hurdle at the Festival & we all know what happened in the years after that. It is a long shot but if Yanworth can get anywhere close to that level he will be amongst the greatest JP has ever owned.

The best price out available is 11/10 with Betfair both on the Sportsbook and the machine. There doesn’t appear to be many good things for us Brits at the Festival this year; this one however most certainly is.

The RSA is certainly not the most glamorous of races but it is tough and tests the metal of horses looking to make the step up to Gold Cup glory and More Of That is hacking that path this year for old friends Jonjo & JP. The eight year old is infamous for his thwarting of the “unbeatable” Annie Power in the 2014 World Hudle under the drive of Barry Geraghty. The switch to fences was seamless with facile wins at Newbury and Cheltenham and all roads and euros were flowing down stream towards the Gold Cup with Jonjo confirming in December that the blue riband event was on the agenda. Fast forward to January and the Gold Cup was off the table; as was all of the antepost money. Staying in novice company looks to have been the right decision at the turn of the year but with many of the big names in the Gold Cup now standing (and some falling) on very shaky ground, will they rue not taking their chance? The son of Beneficial will have had three months off heading into the Festival after being denied a prep run but one thing is for sure, he will be fit and raring to go with his old partner in crime Barry on his back.

More Of That lies second in the betting for the RSA at best price 4/1 with only stout Gigginstown stayer No More Heroes ahead of him but he is in with a huge chance of netting JP his first RSA winner and bringing up a quick double on Ladies Day.

The golden Wednesday could be completed if Josies Orders or Quantativeeasing can muddle through the obstacle course that is the Cheltenham Cross Country race for Enda Bolger and JP. The hoops have been carried to four victories over the marathon trip of 3 miles and 7 furlongs and this renewal could go a very well trodden pathway back to McManus glory. The announcing of level weights brought cheers & a whole new dimension to the race as both horses would have been saddled with plenty of slates had the rules stayed the same. The choice of the most winningest jockey in the race Nina Carberry will be the talk of the Cotswolds in the lead up to the marathon and wherever she goes I’m sure you’ll see the money not far behind her. Josies Orders is the standout horse in the race in my opinion. The impression he left after his last Cheltenham outing runs deep and the audacity of it increases even further considering the 11 stone 8 pound weight carried to victory, a quick reminder that on his run previous to this the weight was a skinny 10-2. You’re hard pressed to get a quote from trainer Enda Bolger about the horse but the guard did slip when he was quoted as saying, “He is a pretty good horse and he's only seven, so hopefully we'll be able to keep coming back with him.” It is difficult to get truly excited for the bumps, banks and everything else that comes with the Cross Country in comparison to the speed and power of say the Champion Hurdle but the ease at which Josies Orders has taken to the obstacles is much alike to the ease at which Faugheen (most of the time) takes towards hurdling. A best price 5/2 is what you’ll get but when Nina opts for this eight year old you’ll be as lucky to see that as some horses will the backside of this horse jumping the last in the straight.

Ivanovich Gorbatov is the product of two behemoths of Irish racing combining, mix in a dash of JP McManus with two parts O’Brien family and what happens next could be the tonic of dreams.

The maiden tag was totalled first time out at Leopardstown with Geraghty at the controls. Little more than hacking around the bend and upto the last the heels were swift to the belly and he powered away in the quag like ground. A sea of blue washed across the betting firms, an instant cert for the Triumph they said! Here is the part where I make a confession; I bought in, I was sold. This was one I told everyone to get on, the Festival NAP. Not quite. The mood was swinging from high to low going down the Leopardstown back straight in the Spring Juvenile, something didn’t seem right, didn’t look right. The fifth hurdle took a clattering, the sixth likewise and the second last for good measure too. The bridle was well and truly off going around the bend he sauntered through previously and he finished a well beaten 9.75 lengths.

A bad day at the office? Maybe. (Hopefully!) Six weeks to go, Gorbatov was no bigger than 4/1 in the market. Five weeks to go and you could have walked away whistling with a 7 on your betslip. There is plenty of work for messers O’Brien to get to if we are to see the horse from first time out at the Festival. Class is permanent however and on better ground the logical thinking is that the real Ivanovich Gorbatov will be seen or at least thats what my pocket is hoping for.

It’s a tale similar to one told not too far up this preview; three miles, JP, Nina and Enda. On The Fringe bids for back to back Foxhunter wins at the Festival. Sent off at a now ridiculous looking price of 6/1 he duly romped in by 17 lengths before heading to Aintree and Punchestown where the bandwagon and the wins carried on rolling. At 11 years old it is inevitable the doubts will be in the back of peoples minds as to whether it is possible to win one Foxhunters let alone three. Can he take another round in the ring against tough horses like Marito and Mendip Express? Habits can often be terrible things, they are difficult to break and you slip into them easily but if you are on the McManus team they are of high importance as they are proven to work and the riches are always there to be plundered. In the 2013/2014 season a very calculated route had been set out, On The Fringe would run in December, February March and May and this yielded three wins in five runs including the Foxhunters at Cheltenham. If we leap over the fence to 2014/2015 and what do we see? December, February, March and May again with three wins in 5 runs again with the Foxhunters at Cheltenham in the bag. This year, the chain has been broken but I think it will have the same old features with the Foxhunters firmly in the helicopter back to Martinstown. At best price 3/1 there isn’t much in it for the punter but if you are having doubts about the age, the competition or anything else go back and take a look again at last years race. My prediction is your doubts will disappear quickly. The five horses above are not the only chances that JP McManus has over the four days. To the list you can add in Bloody Mary (Mares Novices), Box Office (Martin Pipe), Gilgamboa (Ryanair) and the inevitable four pronged attack at all the handicaps on offer through the week.

They may not have an Istabraq or a Synchronised this year but the Festival looks bright once again for JP and his always dedicated team.

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