France (Parislongchamp/Le Lion D’Angers) Race Card, Form Guide & Race Previews – Sunday, April 9

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French Race Card – 9th April

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Race Preview

R1 – PRIX JUIGNE – 2100m (a1 5/16m) – TURF – Condition Race – Newcomers – Flat – EUR € 27.000

1. EYVANN – Lope De Vega gelding who is a half-brother to top-class performer Eziyra. The likely favourite.
2. MOTION – Lope De Vega colt, brother of Listed winner and Group-placed filly Mashael. Has claims.
3. FEED THE FLAME – Kingman colt related to a multiple Group winner in the USA. Respected under Soumillon.
4. RICHARD HORNIG – Kodiac newcomer worth a mention with Oisin Murphy aboard for trainer Fabrice Vermeulen.
5. LEMPIRA – Gelded son of Taareef trained by Gavin Hernon and to be ridden on debut by Rosario Mangione.
6. LIGHTNING BOLT – Fabrice Chappet-trained colt by Sea The Moon to be ridden by Ioritz Mendizabal. Watch.
7. COCKTAIL PRINCE – Exceed And Excel colt out of Group II and Group III winner Cocktail Queen. Keep safe.

Summary : EYVANN (1) is a half-brother to multiple Group winner Eziyra. He makes his debut as a gelding but is of particular interest given his pedigree, so gets the nod in this newcomers’ race. Well-bred colts FEED THE FLAME (3) and MOTION (2), as well as COCKTAIL PRINCE (7) who is out of Group winner Cocktail Queen, warrant respect too and could go well on debut.

R2 – PRIX DE CHAILLOT – 2100m (a1 5/16m) – TURF – Condition Race – Newcomers – Flat – EUR € 27.000

1. KLEORA – Le Havre newcomer from a stable known for readying its runners to run a forward race on debut. Not discounted.
2. RODAINAH – Le Havre filly out of a Listed-placed mare. Respected on debut for prominent connections.
3. QUEEN OF MY HEART – Well-bred Dubawi debutante who holds a number of fancy Group I entries. Follow.
4. SHAMYA – Shalaa filly to be ridden on debut by Mickaël Barzalona for trainer Jean-Philippe Dubois.
5. RUE BUFFON – Gavin Hernon-trained Le Havre filly out of a mare who placed at Group III level.
6. MANADA – Anodin newcomer worth considering with Oisin Murphy booked to ride the Fabrice Vermeulen-trained folly.
7. ZVAROSHKA – Camelot debutante from the in-form Stéphane Wattel stable. One to note on debut with Christophe Soumillon up.
8. MAWI – Hiroo Shimizu-trained Anodin filly who is related to several useful performers. Worth monitoring.
9. CALL ME VALENTINE – Lucie Pontoir’s Galiway debutante to be ridden by Hugo Journiac.
10. ELZORA – Well-related Almanzor debutante trained by Jean-Claude Rouget. Entered in the Prix de Diane.
11. AIRWAY – Louis Baudron’s Al Wukair newcomer who Mathieu Pelletan rides on debut.
12. KOZACHKA – Vaclav Luka-trained Sea The Stars debutante to be ridden by Alexis Pouchin.
13. LADY RANDOLPH – Cost €350,000 as a yearling but could go on to justify her purchase price. Potential winner.
14. BUBBLE SIGN – Anodin debutante related to some useful sorts. Ioritz Mendizabal rides for Mikel Delzangles.

Summary : Dubawi filly QUEEN OF MY HEART (3) must be highly regarded as she holds several Group I entries (Prix Saint-Alary, Poule d’Essai, Prix de Diane), so it could pay to be with her from the outset. LADY RANDOLPH (13) is a half-sister to Group I winning sire Shakeel, so makes plenty of appeal on paper. She cost €350,000 as a yearling and could well be up to running a forward race on debut. ELZORA (10) also has an entry in the Prix de Diane so warrants respect on debut. Le Havre fillies RODAINAH (2) and KLEORA (1) are also worth a mention.

R3 – PRIX DE CHEVILLY – 1400m (a7f) – TURF – Divised Handicap – Class 2 – Flat – EUR € 53.000

1. SIMPLY STRIKING – Won a Class 3 on the PSF last time out and has finished in the money in each of his 4 starts at this track. Shortlisted.
2. OZAN – Resumed recently in the same manner in which he closed out 2022, in winning form on the PSF. Has claims.
3. KING GOLD – Twice 3rd over this trip at Meydan but not at his best over 1200m last time. Can do better reverting to 1400m for his return to France.
4. CIRANO – Quinte+ winner on the PSF at Deauville in January but is not likely to repeat that feat on the turf. Place chance.
5. SHINNING OCEAN – Was 5th in his first start at this level on the PSF but failed to confirm on the turf last time. Others preferred.
6. ETATIQUE – Distance-suited last-start winner. Up 4kg after an impressive Quinte+ win last time but likely to play another leading role.
7. CICCIO BOY – Regular in Quinte+ races but out of sorts lately and probably too high in the weights to play a role. Outsider.
8. PEDRITO – Well-beaten in both starts at Quinte+ level on the PSF this year. Has won over track and trip, so could surprise back on the turf.
9. SEE YOU BOY – Debuts at this level on his return to French soil having dropped in the weights. Watch for now.
10. COUR DU ROI – Not beaten far from a wide draw in a Quinte+ at Saint-Cloud last time. Revised weight terms and return to this track will suit.
11. OFFRANVILLE – Has improved with each outing this year and was a good 3rd behind (6) ETATIQUE last time. Must confirm to play a role here.
12. PUERTO MADERO – Has found form and consistency at this level off his current mark. Will not be far off the action.
13. DRAGONS PLEASE – Well-beaten in both starts at Quinte+ level last year and will probably need the run after 4 months out. Can be ruled out.
14. LILY ROSE – Returned to form on her comeback in a conditions race at Chantilly. Could have a say if building on that improvement.
15. KOOL FIRST – Made a winning comeback on the PSF at Chantilly on handicap debut. More needed back on the turf and in this grade.
16. FREJA – Appears to have regressed in 3 starts since her win at Moulins in May. Hard to make a case for.

Summary : COUR DU ROI (10) finished behind a pair of runners with whom he renews rivalry here when 7th in a Quinté+ at Saint-Cloud last month. He was dropped slightly in the weights so is better off on these revised weight terms which makes him an attractive betting proposition on his return to ParisLongchamp where he won a 1300m Quinte+ back in May. ETATIQUE (6) is up 4kg for winning from a wide draw last time, when beating the selection, but won well enough to suggest that he’d remain competitive despite the penalty. SIMPLY STRIKING (1) has resumed in good form on the PSF at Chantilly but is more than capable on the turf, so ought to make his presence felt from an inside gate. Both OZAN (2) and PUERTO MADERO (12) have been running well at this level recently so are also worth including.

R4 – PRIX LA FORCE – 1800m (a1 1/8m) – TURF – Group 3 – Group – Flat – EUR € 80.000

1. PADISHAKH – Looked a bright prospect in winning both starts last year, including his latest over this outing. Likely favourite.
2. DUC DE KENT – Has more experience than most which will stand him in good stead. Consistent on both surfaces but vulnerable to less-exposed types.
3. BIRR CASTLE – Finished 3rd in 1600m Listed race at Saint-Cloud on his reappearance and ought to have come on since. Lurker.
4. HORIZON DORE – Confirmed promise of winning debut by following up in a Listed race at Marseille-Borely. Could remain unbeaten.
5. RASHFORD – Won on debut then finished 2nd in September two-year-old Group III before a winning comeback on the PSF last month. Not discounted.
6. GREENLAND – Finished a close-up 4th in Group II at Newmarket when last seen and ought to progress this term. Respected for leading connections.
7. ZALAMO – Was in the money in both starts last year and has progressed nicely to win both starts in 2023. May have more to give stepping onto turf.
8. BIG ROCK – Has improved recently, winning consecutive starts on Chantilly PSF. Was 2nd on debut in his only run on the turf, so is capable.

Summary : Impressive in both starts last term, debuting at this track over 1600m before winning at Chantilly over this trip in October,  it could pay to follow the progress of unbeaten PADISHAKH (1) on his eagerly awaited comeback in this competitive three-year-old Group III. HORIZON DORE (4) also puts a 100% record on the line and should put up a fight on his reappearance,  having won a two-year-old Listed race when last seen in October. GREENLAND (6), after finishing 4th in the Group II Royal Lodge in September, and BIG ROCK (8), who has won his last 2 starts, ought to make their presence felt too.

R5 – PRIX VANTEAUX – 1800m (a1 1/8m) – TURF – Group 3 – Group – Flat – EUR € 80.000

1. JANNAH ROSE – Wrapped up over the winter having justified favouritism on debut at Chantilly in September. Open to any amount of improvement.
2. SPARKLING BEAUTY – Acquitted herself well in the Group I Fillies Mile at Newmarket and on that form should play a leading role.
3. SEA THE LADY – Beat a subsequent Group III winner when landing a Listed race at her last start. Has the form to be competitive.
4. KHAHIRA – Consistent for the most part and effective on both surfaces but has it all to do jumping into this class.
5. AROUND MIDNIGHT – Consistent performer last year and open to improvement this term. Can have a say.
6. MQSE DE MAINTENON – Seldom far off the mark but has only won at a lower level where she is probably more effective. Outsider here.
7. DELIGHTFUL – Showed promise at two and may well have needed her comeback run. Must bounce back from that effort though.

Summary : Not disgraced at Group I level last year, SPARKLING BEAUTY (2) should appreciate the ease in grade to these calmer waters and is taken to make a winning reappearance. Winner of this event in 2021 with Rumi, Carlos Laffon-Parias pins his hopes on debut scorer JANNAH ROSE (1) who could be anything following a lengthy layoff. Improving SEA THE LADY (3) and Group III runner-up last year AROUND MIDNIGHT (5) return after promising two-year-old campaigns and are not discounted. Good race!

R6 – PRIX DE LA FOIRE EXPOSITION D’ANGERS (PRIX DU DOLMEN) – 2000m (a1 1/4m) – TURF – Divised Handicap – Class 3 – Flat – EUR € 19.000

1. PROMETEO – Two good wins in 2021 in last three starts. Returns from a lengthy break but is a promising sort and has a winning chance.
2. KER WELEN – Unreliable on the PSF of late. Fit and last win was on the turf so could be the surprise package of the race.
3. INDY DU SEUIL – Promising sort with two wins in 2022 to his name. Returns from a break but does deserve some respect.
4. AD LIBITUM – Disappointing last run after a solid handicap win in his penultimate start. May prefer the PSF but is not out of it.
5. MAKILROY – Disappointing last run when possibly anchored by a penalty for previous win. Does win every now and then so cannot be dismissed away easily.
6. FIRST CREATION – In very good form with two handicap wins in last three starts. Would prefer further and has to carry a 3kg penalty for last win but can follow-up.
7. RUE JONAS – Probably needed the comeback run and is on a long losing streak but is fitter now and could pop up in a place.
8. SPEED BALL – Has struggled on the PSF in the last four starts including three times this year, Did win on the grass before that so could surprise.
9. ORANGE VIF – Seems to have lost his way completely in 2023. Capable of doing better but is best watched for now.
10. ILDOUCE FLECHOIS – Disappointing last run when possibly anchored by a penalty for previous win. Unreliable but is not out of it.
11. COMTESSE VERA – Did a bit better when fifth last time out but may need a bigger handicap drop to win this race. Could place.

Summary : FIRST CREATION (6) arrives here in very good form. I would prefer it to have been further but he can still win over this distance. AD LIBITUM (4) probably prefers the PSF but is in good form and has a winning chance. PROMETEO (1) and INDY DU SEUIL (3) are talented but are returning from a lengthy breaks so their fitness will be needed to be taken on trust. Neither would be surprise winners.

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Author: iRace