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R1 – PRIX LORD SEYMOUR – 2400m (a1 1/2m) – TURF – Condition Race – Listed – Flat – EUR € 52.000
1. OR GRIS – Consistent and probably more effective at a lower level. Needs a career-best effort
required to play a role here.
2. FENELON – Off since September but is another here with solid form credentials. Could get into
the picture.
3. SEA THE SKY – Won at this level last year and followed up with a good 5th in the Group I Prix
de Royallieu. Can make a winning return.
4. NORTHERN RULER – Lightly raced but has shown considerable means. Returns from another
layoff but should have a role to play.
5. GALASHIELS – Has won 3 of 5 starts and finished 4th in a Group III when last seen in 2022.
Capable of having a say.
6. VIRTUAL ROCK – Also sparingly raced but boasts consistent form at a good level and benefits
from a recent comeback run. Place chance.
7. MELO MELO – Caught the eye on her reappearance when making up a lot of ground to finish a
close-up 4th. Respected.
Summary : A Listed race to kick things off and Andre Fabre runners SEA THE SKY (3) and
GALASHIELS (5) likely to fight out the finish, with the former taken to make a winning
reappearance. She was 5th in a Group I after winning a Listed race prior to her winter break. MELO
MELO (7) has had the benefit of a comeback run and with that fitness edge ought to make her
presence felt NORTHERN RULER (4) and VIRTUAL ROCK (6) complete the shortlist.
SELECTIONS
SEA THE SKY (3) – GALASHIELS (5) – MELO MELO (7) – NORTHERN RULER (4)
R2 – PRIX NOAILLES – 2100m (a1 5/16m) – TURF – Group 3 – Group – Flat – EUR € 80.000
1. FLIGHT LEADER – Knew more about it when winning over 1800m in his second start and is
likely to reach higher heights over time and ground. Follow.
2. RUBIS VENDOME – Showed little on debut in his only start on turf but has improved to win and
finish 2nd on the PSF. Outsider.
3. HARRY WAY – Won the Listed Prix François Mathet last month which prompted connections to
supplement him here. Don’t discount.
4. PRINCE DE PANAME – Has shown promise in five starts on the PSF, winning twice and finishing
2nd twice. Unknown quantity on the turf.
5. LONDONER – Easy winner of his second start at Dundalk in October another likely improver this
term. Respected.
6. MONONOF – Finished 6th of 8 in a Listed race won by (3) HARRY WAY on his reappearance.
Has run his best races on the PSF.
7. FORTUNE – Highly regarded colt who won both starts during a promising two-year-old campaign.
Include.
Summary : Frankel colt FLIGHT LEADER (1) made the expected improvement when stepping up
to 1800m in his second start back on October 10. He was impressive that day at Chantilly and is
likely to make further progress this term, so could be worth following on his reappearance.
Unbeaten FORTUNE (7) has a bright future and is also open to any amount of improvement on his
return, so will fight to preserve his 100%. Aidan O’Brien sends out another improving last-start
winner in LONDONER (5) who must be respected with Christophe Soumillon engaged. Winner of
the Listed Prix François Mathet, HARRY WAY (3) was supplemented for this so another to consider.
SELECTIONS
FLIGHT LEADER (1) – FORTUNE (7) – LONDONER (5) – HARRY WAY (3)
R3 – PRIX DU PAVILLON ROYAL – 1850m (a1 1/8m) – TURF – Divised Handicap – Class 2 – Flat – EUR € 53.000
1. ROCK BLANC – Disappointing 8th in a handicap on the PSF at Chantilly last time but ought to
do better dropped 1kg better returning to the turf. Dangerous.
2. CRAPS – Outclassed at Group III level last time but won a Quinte+ at his previous start. Capable.
3. HONGUEMARE – Not disgraced when 7th in a Quinte+ on the PSF last time and this shorter trip
will suit. Can get into the picture.
4. EXCITING – Seldom far off the mark at this level and is likely to be in the thick of things again.
Keep safe.
5. COSMAS – Runner-up in this race last year, he ought to have tightened up for a comeback run
recently. Has all to do at the weights.
6. BOBBYMURPHY – Won the Prix Policeman in 2021 but failed to live up to expectations. Has
been better in 3 starts this year but has only a minor role to play at this level.
7. NOTTINGHAM – Won a Quinte+ over track and trip back in July but has struggled in each of her
4 outings since. Others preferred.
8. LOUIS DE BAVIERE – Won his only start in this grade on the PSF but finished unplaced under
a 4kg penalty last time. Has questions to answer on the turf.
9. GREAT ROTATION – Consistent sort who arrives in good form with a good record at this level.
Must be included.
10. HIGHBARI – Runs well at this course so ought to build on his encouraging reappearance.
Respected.
11. BOUGAINVILLIER – Bounced back to form in a similar contest on the PSF in his last start.
Capable on the turf so likely to play a role here.
12. NORWEGIAN SIR – Finished 8th in this race last year and lines up in this year’s renewal off a
mark 3,5kg lower. Place chance.
13. WOOT CITY – Joined Fabrice Chappet after finishing unplaced in a Quinte+ last time out. Could
bounce back with blinkers fitted here.
14. PIERRE LE GRAND – Reassured with an improved last start and will be competitive if
confirming. One to note.
15. FAYONA – Unplaced in each of her last 3 starts at this level on the PSF and most recently on
her reappearance after a winter break. For another day.
16. PEGASUS – Unreliable but is quite capable of staking a claim in a race like this. Dark horse
SUNDAY, 16/04/23.
Summary : BOUGAINVILLIER (11) caught the eye in a Quinte+ on the fibresand at Chantilly
recently, when running on well to finish a close-up 3rd, and will be involved again if repeating that
run on the turf. Both GREAT ROTATION (9), with Christophe Soumillon saddle, and ROCK BLANC
(1) boast good records in this grade and must be included. HIGHBARI (10) could have a role to
play after an encouraging comeback run, while Fabrice Chappet’s new recruit WOOT CITY (13) is
capable of doing better dropping back in trip with blinkers fitted. WEGIAN SIR (12) and
HONGUEMARE (3) are others to consider.
SELECTIONS
BOUGAINVILLIER (11) – GREAT ROTATION (9) – ROCK BLANC (1) – HIGHBARI (10)
R4 – PRIX DE FONTAINEBLEAU – 1600m (a1m) – TURF – Group 3 – Group – Flat – EUR € 80.000
1. HALFWAY LINE – Made a winning comeback at Saint-Cloud and would’ve come on for the run.
Can have a say.
2. MARHABA YA SANAFI – Ended last season in winning form and resumed in similar order on
the PSF at Chantilly. Must confirm back on the turf.
3. RAJAPOUR – Unbeaten colt who could have participated in Group races last term. Will have a
role to play on his return.
4. AMERICAN FLAG – Impressive winner of a Listed at Saint-Cloud on his reappearance and is
likely to have improved since. Respected.
5. ROYAL SHAKE – Has improved with every start and wasn’t winning out of turn last. Big jump in
class here.
6. MANIATIC – Won both starts last season and is open to any amount of improvement on his
return. Dark horse.
7. VICTORIA ROAD – Top-class juvenile last season and the highest-rated horse in the lineup. Is
the one to beat.
Summary : High-class Group III event that features seven three-year-old colts who all won their
last starts. It could, however, pay to follow the progress of Breeder’s Cup Juvenile Turf winner
VICTORIA ROAD (7) in his bid for a fifth consecutive victory. He won’t have things his own way,
though, as unbeaten RAJAPOUR (3) and hat-trick seeking AMERICAN FLAG (4), with the benefit
of having had a comeback run, are likely to mount a serious challenge. HALFWAY LINE (1) and
MANIATIC (6) are also highly thought of so not incapable of posing a threat either.
SELECTIONS
VICTORIA ROAD (7) – RAJAPOUR (3) – AMERICAN FLAG (4) – HALFWAY LINE (1)
R5 – PRIX DE LA GROTTE – 1600m (a1m) – TURF – Group 3 – Group – Flat – EUR € 80.000
1. LINDY – Won all 3 of her starts as a juvenile and could have even more to offer after her winter
break. Not discounted.
2. PRIJA – Has shown a fair degree of promise and consistency in 3 starts but will need to raise
her game in this company. Outsider.
3. PALERMA – Consistent and at a good level too but is another who will need to improve to get a
look in here.
4. PRECIOSITE – Last-start winner at Bordeaux-Le Bousca November. Needs to improve to get a
look in here on her reappearance.
5. PAZ – Two-time winner from as many starts last term and is open to any amount of improvement.
Keep safe.
6. OUJDA – Runner-up on the PSF in her first outing and improved to win on the grass last time.
More needed.
7. AUTUMN STARLIGHT – Impressive winner on her return at Saint-Cloud. Could follow up for
Stéphane Wattel who won this last year.
8. ALGOLIA – Debut winner on the fibresand and followed up on the turf last time. Respect.
9. BLUE ROSE CEN – Won the Group I Prix Marcel Boussac by an impressive five lengths last
year. Shortlisted on her reappearance.
Summary : As in the preceding contest, a quality field will lines up in this Group III race for threeyear-old fillies. Unbeaten AUTUMN STARLIGHT (7), however, is the one to side with after an
impressive winning comeback which ought to have brought her on. Star two-year-old of last season
BLUE ROSE CEN (9) may lack match sharpness on her return but is capable of extending her
winning sequence. Undefeated ALGOLIA (8) continues to impress and should be competitive along
with PAZ (5) and LINDY (1) who have not been beaten either. Cracking contest!
SELECTIONS
AUTUMN STARLIGHT (7) – BLUE ROSE CEN (9) – ALGOLIA (8) – PAZ (5)
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