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France Race Card – 20th August
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R1 – SUMBE PRIX ALEC HEAD (PRIX DE LA NONETTE) – 2000m (a1 1/4m) – TURF – Group 2 – Group – Flat – EUR € 130.000
1. JANNAH ROSE – Fair last effort, has won a Group 1 and 3 before and is classy. Hard to beat.
Win. Banker
2. ABHA – Expect progression on recent 4th at Vichy in a Listed race. Outsider with a chance
3. ETERNAL HOPE – William Buick rides for Charlie Appleby, done well in England and clearly has
ability. Big runner
4. LUMIERE ROCK – Has been racing in Ireland and England and can make a huge impact here
in France. Respect and include
5. PENSEE DU JOUR – Ignore last run, has won three from four and is the main danger to the first
choice
Summary : JANNAH ROSE (1) has won three from four, including a Group 3 and Group 1. She
looks impossible to beat and is a banker for all bets. PENSEE DU JOUR (5) has also won three
from four starts with a Listed and Group 3 to boot. Plenty of cheek can be expected from her.
LUMIERE ROCK (4) has been racing in Ireland and England and could make an impact here in
France. Big chance. ETERNAL HOPE (3) for Godolphin has caught the eye and is clearly a talented
sort. Expect a huge effort.
SELECTIONS
JANNAH ROSE (1) – PENSEE DU JOUR (5) – LUMIERE ROCK (4) – ETERNAL HOPE (3)
R2 – SUMBE PRIX D’HUDIMESNIL – 1300m (a6 1/2f) – ALL WEATHER – Condition Race – Class 1 – Flat – EUR € 38.000
1. FANG – Decent win in a Class 2 race last time over 1200m at Chantilly in mid-July. Player
2. LOUBEISIEN – Three unplaced runs of late, nice win before that in a Class 1 race over 1300m
in March. Merits consideration
3. JOSEPHINO – Unplaced last time, 3rd before that over 1600m at Prague(CZE) in May. Has work
to do
4. NESR SHALGHODA – Unplaced last time, 2nd before that to FANG (1) when narrowly denied
over 1200m. Leading chance
5. BOLCHOI – Won over 1300m on the latest run in a Class 1 race in August 2022. Fitness worry
and others preferred
6. DEEP HOPE – Three unplaced runs of late, the latest over 1600m in a Listed race in July. Needs
to get back on track
7. SIAM PARAGON – Unplaced in a Group 3 last time, scored before that in a Class 2 race in June
over 1200m. Ought to be involved
8. SWEETHEART – Unplaced last time, 3rd before that in a Listed race over 1400m in mid-May.
Can make the frame
Summary : This Class 1 event could be between two horses that met at Chantilly on July 16th
where FANG (1) managed to get the better of NESR SHALGHODA (4) in a tight finish. As it was
the former’s first run of the year, he can improve a good bit from that and should confirm his
superiority. SIAM PARAGON (7) is an honest performer and scored in a Class 2 race in June two
runs ago. He was not quite up to Group 3 level last time, but he can make the frame here.
SWEETHEART (8) has won at this level previously in March and enters calculations if emulating
that win at Compiegne.
SELECTIONS
FANG (1) – NESR SHALGHODA (4) – SIAM PARAGON (7) – SWEETHEART (8)
R3 – SUMBE GRAND HANDICAP – 1900m (a1 3/16m) – ALL WEATHER – Divised Handicap – Class 1 – Flat – EUR € 70.000
1. CHARLESQUINT – Won last time over 2250m in mid-July. Has been placed at this venue before.
Others make more sense
2. PARCHEMIN – 5th in the race won by INTEGRANT (3) at this track 17 days ago and meets on
worse terms, but can make the top four
3. INTEGRANT – Won beating ELIYASS (5) narrowly last time at this track 17 days ago. 1.5kg
worse off this time. Leading chance
4. SAINT HELLIER – Won on last run over 1900m at this track 21 days ago in a Class 2 handicap.
Outside place chance
5. ELIYASS – Good 2nd last time to INTEGRANT (3) over 1900m at this track 17 days ago. On
better terms here can reverse the form
6. WONNEMOND – Three unplaced efforts in 2023. Has been out of form since a 3rd in Milan(ITA)
in a Group 3 race in November over 1700m. Looks safely held
7. BEHTAR – Decent 3rd over 1900m last time in a Class 1 behind INTEGRANT (3) 17 days ago.
He has an unfavoured stall and has work to do from 15, but can not be overlooked
8. NIGHTHAB – Four unplaced runs of late, won before that over 1900m at Chantilly in late March.
Has work to do
9. VALIABAD – Unplaced in two runs in 2023. Won over 1900m at Chantilly in November. Others
seem more likely
10. BAKHCHISARAY – Won over 1900m last time 10 days ago at this track. Can make the frame
at nice odds
11. MONSIEUR XOO – Unplaced in a Class 2 handicap last time over 2500m. Fair 3rd in a Class
1 race in March. In the mix
12. CARAMELITO – Won last time over 1800m in mid-July in a Class 2 handicap. Opposable
13. INDIAN PACIFIC – Fair 4th last time over 1900m at this track on July 30th. Can not be
discounted
14. DAYSHANN – Four unplaced runs of late, won before that over 2400m at Pau in February in a
Class 2 race. Needs to get back to form
15. WHITE WHISKY – 5th last time over 1900m at this track 21 days ago. Ought to be on the
premises
16. THIRSTY – Unplaced last twice, 3rd before that over 2500m in January. Unlikely to feature
Summary : A good draw and being able to get a nice position will be key to success in this strong
lineup. ELIYASS (5) has a good draw and likes this track having been a close second when last
seen in a Class 1 race when going for his fifth win in a row. He is 1.5kg better off this time and can
just edge it from INTEGRANT (3) who beat him when they met 17 days ago. He too has a good
draw and will not go down without a fight. BEHTAR (7) was back in third in the Deauville race
behind the two already mentioned. He has stall 15 to contend with but can not be ruled out.
PARCHEMIN (2) was back in fifth behind INTEGRANT (3) and needs to find a bit of ground to win
but warrants respect.
SELECTIONS
ELIYASS (5) – INTEGRANT (3) – BEHTAR (7) – PARCHEMIN (2)
R4 – SUMBE PRIX JEAN ROMANET – 2000m (a1 1/4m) – TURF – Group 1 – Group – Flat – EUR € 250.000
1. DARKANIYA – Won a Listed race last time over 2100m at Chantilly in July. Needs a personal
best to win
2. PLESANT JANE – 3rd last time in a Group 3 race over 2000m in early June. Won a Listed race
in April three runs back over 2100m. Others rate higher
3. VIA SISTINA – 3rd last time over 1600m at Newmarket (GBR) in mid-July (Gr.1). Won before
that at Curragh (IRL) in the ( Gr.1) over 2000m. Will like the distance and loves soft ground. Player
4. ABOVE THE CURVE – Good 2nd in the Nassau Stakes (Gr.1) at Goodwood (GBR) last time
over 2000m 17 days ago. Nice 3rd before that in a Group 1 at Curragh (IRL) in July. Sets the
standard
5. ONE FOR BOBBY – Won a Group 3 last time over 2000m at Vichy in July. Might find a few of
these too smart
6. TREVAUNANCE – 5th at the Curragh (IRL) last time over 2000m in July behind VIA SISTINA
(3). Has had a break and can feature
7. MQSE DE SEVIGNE – Good win in the Prix de Rothschild (Gr.1) on last run 21 days ago. Can
make an impact
8. VALPOLICELLA – 2nd in a Group 3 race last time at Milan(ITA) over 2000m in June. Opposable
Summary : A top line-up of Fillies and Mares for this Group 1 event. The Irish trained ABOVE THE
CURVE (4) does not know how to run a bad race, she was a good second at Goodwood (GBR)
when last seen in the Nassau stakes (Gr.1) 17 days ago and has won at the top level previously.
She might just edge this from MQSE DE SEVIGNE (7) who won the Prix de Rothschild (Gr.1) when
last seen 21 days ago and is another that is always on the premises. VIA SISTINA (3) found the
1600m a bit too sharp last time and will be happier over today’s journey. She won well at the
Curragh in the Pretty Polly Stakes (Gr.1) in July and will make life difficult for her rivals.
TREVAUNANCE (6) has had a break since her last run when fifth behind VIA SISTINA (3) in July
and might make the frame.
SELECTIONS
ABOVE THE CURVE (4) – MQSE DE SEVIGNE (7) – VIA SISTINA (3) – TREVAUNANCE (6)
R5 – SUMBE PRIX MORNY – 1200m (a6f) – TURF – Group 1 – Group – Flat – EUR € 350.000
1. ELITE STATUS – Won over 1200m at Deauville last time in a Group 3 race. Has to improve to
beat some of these
2. JASOUR – Won last time over 1200m at Newmarket in the July Stakes (Gr.2) in July. Outside
place chance
3. THUNDER BLUE – Unplaced last time in a Group 3 race 19 days ago, 4th before that in a Group
2 race. Others rate higher
4. VALIANT FORCE – Won the Norfolk Stakes ( Gr.2) at Royal Ascot last time over 1000m in June.
Could progress over the extra trip
5. SAJIR – 2nd in a Group 3 race last time over 1200m at Deauville in late July. Has work to do
6. VANDEEK – Has won both runs, the latest in the Richmond Stakes (Gr. 2 ) race at Goodwood
17 days ago. Needs a bit more to win but is progressive
7. RIVER TIBER – Has won all three runs. Not seen since winning the Coventry Stakes (Gr.2) at
Royal Ascot in June over 1200m. Promising colt and has a leading chance
8. SACRED ANGEL – Won last time over 1200m at Ascot in late July in a Group 3 race. Needs
improvement to have a say
9. RAMATUELLE – Has won her last two runs, the latest the Prix Robert Papin (Group 2) at
Chantilly in July over 1200m. Live chance
Summary : RAMATUELLE (9) takes on the colts in this top-class event. She has only been beaten
once and is very speedy. A good winner last time of the Prix Robert Papin (Gr.2). She is a marginal
choice ahead of the Irish unbeaten raider RIVER TIBER (7) who has had some time off since
scoring in the Coventry Stakes (Gr.2) in June at Royal Ascot. He will be hard to overcome.
VANDEEK (6) is another who is unbeaten in two runs, he won well last time in the Richmond Stakes
(Gr.2) at Goodwood and is on the upgrade. VALIANT FORCE (4) won over 1100m in the Norfolk
Stakes ( Gr. 2) when last seen and should be fine over the extra trip here.
SELECTIONS
RAMATUELLE (9) – RIVER TIBER (7) – VANDEEK (6) – VALIANT FORCE (4)
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