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France Race Card – 27th August
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Race Preview
R1 – PRIX BARRIERE L’HOTEL DU GOLF – 1400m (a7f) – TURF – Condition Race – Class 1 – Flat – EUR € 35.000
1. CAWDOR – Not beaten far when a creditable 6th in the Group III Prix Daphnis over 1600m and
ought to find this shorter trip more to his liking
2. SOUS LA NEIGE – Has finished in the first two positions at every start, including on his
reappearance (2nd) last time. Will have more to offer
3. GAMESTOP – Precocious colt who performed at a high level last year and finished 2nd in the
Group I Grand Critérium in October. Absent since but an exciting prospect nonetheles
4. SUVIANA – Has won two of her four starts and finished 4th in a Listed race last time. Boasts
the form and experience to stake a claim here
5. LADY DANEROSE – Antonio Spanu-trained Morandi debutante to be ridden by Rosario
Mangione. Best just to watch for now
Summary : GAMESTOP (3) proved one of the best two-year-olds of last season and, even after
a 10-month absence, is probably worth siding with on his belated reappearance. Supplemented
CAWDOR (1) wasn’t disgraced in finishing 6th last time and is likely to play a leading role, along
with André Fabre-trained runners SOUS LA NEIGE (2), who ought to improve after a pleasing
comeback 2nd, and SUVIANA (4) with race fitness on her side.
SELECTIONS
GAMESTOP (3) – CAWDOR (1) – SOUS LA NEIGE (2) – SUVIANA (4)
R2 – BARRIERE PRIX DE MEAUTRY – 1200m (a6f) – TURF – Group 3 – Group – Flat – EUR € 80.000
1. GARRUS – Veteran British raider and proven Group performer with solid form references.
Finished 2nd at this level over 1400m last time but is most effective over this distance
2. BATWAN – Well-performed veteran with sound form references but has no more than a place
chance here. Outsider
3. FORZA CAPITANO – Won two Quinté+ events in 2022 and has held his own at Group level
this year. Can get into the picture
4. ASYMMETRIC – Smart colt and last-start winner at this track on his seasonal reappearance.
Beat FORZA CAPITANO (3) and BATWAN (2) on that occasion and should have more to offer
5. MILL STREAM – Progressive three-year-old colt and last-start winner of a Listed race in his
first start on French soil. Keep safe
6. AMERICAN KESTREL – Has made no impression in both starts this year, finishing a wellbeaten 10th and 12th. Others preferred
Summary : Runner-up in the Group III Prix de la Porte Maillot over 1400m last time, GARRUS
(1) will relish a return to this distance and boasts a good record at this track to boot. He gets the
nod here but will, however, face a stern test as last-start winners at this track ASYMMETRIC (4)
and MILL STREAM (5) are likely to challenge. Consistent FORZA CAPITANO (3) cannot be
discounted either. Good race!
SELECTIONS
GARRUS (1) – ASYMMETRIC (4) – MILL STREAM (5) – FORZA CAPITANO (3)
R3 – PRIX RESORT BARRIERE DEAUVILLE-TROUVILLE – 1500m (a7 1/2f) – ALL WEATHER – Divised Handicap – Class 2 – Flat – EUR € 53.000
1. SHINNING OCEAN – Has rarely disappointed on the PSF but has it all to do at this handicap
value (44). Does run well fresh but others make more appeal
2. ARABINO – Absent since winning at Hamburg in June and has struggled in handicaps at off a
lower mark. Tough task
3. PTIT PEDRO – Has been rejuvenated by the fitting of blinkers and has nothing to prove on the
PSF. Will be a factor
4. CIRANO – Made an encouraging reappearance at Lion-d’Angers and returns to this course at
which he won a Quinté+ at the start of the year. Dark horse
5. LE NOMADE – Winner of a Quinté+ but has been absent for almost five months now and the
distance is also unlikely to suit. Thrives on this surface though
6. LEV – Proved his previous run outing was all wrong by finishing a close-up 4th last time. Has
leading claims, even on the PSF, given the form of that recent performance
7. CICCIO BOY – Proven Quinté+ performer capable of a lot better than his latest outing may
suggest. Not taken lightly
8. PEDRITO – Showed his form and well-being when 2nd at Vichy last time and boasts solid
references on the fibresand too. Could be better over a shorter distance though
9. HOLLYHOCK – Appeared one-paced when given every chance in the July 30 event at
Deauville, so this shorter distance will probably serve his interests. Beware
10. MATT MACHINE – Finished 4th in two Quinté+ events but has let the side down in both
subsequent starts. Hard to trust but not ruled out
11. FRENCH CONTE – Absent since his unsuccessful attempt at this level in June. Has, however,
done enough to suggest that he is capable of staking a claim here
12. BULLACE – Has acquitted himself remarkably well in his first two starts at Quinté+ level and
is likely to be a factor here. Include
13. AL KHAMSIN – Has changed trainers often but probably achieved the best performance of
his career to win over 1600m up the straight here on the turf last time. Penalised 4kg but has
claims
14. LIGHT WAKEUP – Won two handicaps last month but showed he no longer had any margin
at this value last time (6th) and is probably better in turf
15. CENTRAL PARK WEST – Capable hold-up type, a tactic that involves risks. Has solid
references on this surface so could get into the picture but needs luck in running
16. TOTAL KNOCKOUT – Out of sorts but has gradually regained a more competitive handicap
value (36). Won a Quinté+ last year off a mark of 35
Summary : LEV (6) was most unlucky (8th) at this level in June and proved that was not his form
with a close-up 4th in a similar contest last time (Grand Handicap de Deauville), so is given the
nod here despite switching to the PSF having finished a pleasing 3rd in his solitary outing on this
surface. BULLACE (12) performed well in his first two attempts at this level and is capable of
posing a threat, along with CICCIO BOY (7) back at a track on which he thrives. TOTAL
KNOCKOUT (16), winner of a similar Quinté+ last summer and back to an attractive handicap
value, and PTIT PEDRO (3) are effective in this grade too, so must also be respected. CIRANO
(4), after an encouraging comeback, FRENCH CONTE (11), returning after more than two
months out, and MATT MACHINE (10) complete the shortlist.
SELECTIONS
LEV (6) – BULLACE (12) – CICCIO BOY (7) – TOTAL KNOCKOUT (16)
R4 – BARRIERE PRIX QUINCEY – 1600m (a1m) – TURF – Group 3 – Group – Flat – EUR € 80.000
1. DOURIANN – Bounced back to winning ways last time, his second victory in three starts, but
has more to do here. Outsider
2. THE REVENANT – Proven Group performer boasting solid form references, maintaining good
level of form and consistency this year. Would welcome any rain
3. RAADOBARG – Finished 5th in the Group II Prix Daniel Wildenstein last year behind THE
REVENANT (2) and was 3rd at Pontefract last time behind POKER FACE (5). Not discounted
4. MIRSKY – Won consecutive starts this year but disappointed when losing his unbeaten record
this year at Clairefontaine last month. Must reaffirm
5. POKER FACE – Highest-rated runner in the race. Confirmed improvement of previous outing
by winning at Pontefract last time, had RAADOBARG (3) behind, and should go well on French
debut
6. VAGALAME – Finished 5th in the Group I Prix du Jockey Club last year and has held his own
at a good level since, albeit without success. Has only a place chance
7. YOOZUNA – Consistent sort with solid form references on turf and fibresand. Capable of
getting into the picture
8. SICILIAN DEFENSE – Consistent for the most part and remains capable of a lot better than her
recent failure in a British Group III. Not taken lightly
9. KENNELLA – Sparked improvement by finishing 3rd last time and represents a stable in form.
Can get into the picture
10. GREGARINA – Last-start winner at this course beating her own sex. Has more to do taking
on the boys but can get into the picture
Summary : A case can be made for most of the runners in this field, which includes three laststart winners. However, it could pay to side with top-rated POKER FACE (5) in his first start on
French soil. He is favourably treated by the conditions of the race with Christophe Soumillon
engaged to ride. THE REVENANT (2) has resumed in good order and boasts the form and
consistency to also fight for victory. RAADOBARG (3) makes the trip with ambitions, while
SICILIAN DEFENSE (8) is not incapable of staking a claim either.
SELECTIONS
POKER FACE (5) – THE REVENANT (2) – RAADOBARG (3) – SICILIAN DEFENSE (8)
R5 – LUCIEN BARRIERE GRAND PRIX DE DEAUVILLE – 2500m (a1 9/16m) – TURF – Group 2 – Group – Flat – EUR € 200.000
1. ASSISTENT – Consistent colt with top-level form references, including a recent 3rd in a Group I
event won by Simca Mille. High on the shortlist
2. AL NAYYIR – Bounced right back to something of his best with a Listed race win over 3000m
last time. Place chance
3. FENELON – Finished 3rd in this event last year and has warmed up for another go at this race
with consecutive victories. Should have a say
4. HAYA ZARK – Capable, lightly raced colt whose chances will be aided by any rainfall. Has won
twice at Group III level and a Listed race too
5. JACK DARCY – Returned to form with a good 2nd in a Group III event at Goodwood last time.
Needs to confirm that improvement
6. DIAMOND VENDOME – Non Partant
7. JUNKO – Finished an excellent 3rd in the Group I Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud before easily
winning at Group III level over this trip last time. One to beat
Summary : JUNKO (7) was an authoritative winner of a Group III contest (the second of his
career) over this distance last time and, on the evidence of that display, will be hard to beat in this
Group II event. ASSISTENT (1), an excellent 3rd behind Simca Mille recently, is his obvious
danger. FENELON (3) is in great shape and should be competitive, while any rain (soft ground)
would seriously enhance the chances of HAYA ZARK (4).
SELECTIONS
JUNKO (7) – ASSISTENT (1) – FENELON (3) – HAYA ZARK (4)
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