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France Form Sheet – 22nd October
English Form Guide
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R1 – PRIX DE FLORE – 2100m (a1 5/16m) – TURF – GROUPE III – Groupe – Flat – EUR € 80.000
1. PLESANT JANE – Inconsistent of late but is seldom far off the mark and could get into the picture
here judged on her best references. Outsider
2. KENNELLA – Has maintained a respectable level of form and consistency at Group level,
although without success. Place chance
3. MANISHA – Finished 3rd in this race last year but was found wanting in subsequent Group races
before her last-start victory in a Listed race. Dark horse
4. TYGRESS – Finished 2nd in consecutive outings before finishing 4th at this level in her third
start. Opened her account last time with a deserved maiden win and ought to continue her
momentum here
5. VILLAGE VOICE – Finished a close-up 3rd last time behind a proven Group performer and Listed
winner, American Sonja, and beat Lumiere Rock and Oh Jackie back in April. Has strong winning
credentials
6. CALISTOGA – Was far from disgraced in a 1600m Listed race last time and was not beaten far,
despite finishing 7th of 11. Should have a lot more to offer over this trip and on slower ground, so
beware of her
7. RAINBOW SKY – Showed early promise in the UK after winning on debut at Kempton but has
turned the corner on French soil (two wins and twice 2nd in four starts, one apiece in two Listed
races). Respect
8. UNE PERLE – Progressive filly with three wins from her last four starts, including her two most
recent outings. Will be competitive with Soumillon engaged to ride
Summary : An extremely competitive Group III opening event in which it could pay to side with
VILLAGE VOICE (5), judging by the strength of her form. TYGRESS (4) acquitted herself well (4th)
at this level as a maiden before winning for the first time in her last start, and she remains
unexposed so is likely to play a leading role with further improvement on the cards. CALISTOGA
(6), who will appreciate this step up in trip and potentially slower ground, is capable of posing a
threat, as is progressive hat-trick seeking UNE PERLE (8).
SELECTIONS
VILLAGE VOICE (5) – TYGRESS (4) – CALISTOGA (6) – UNE PERLE (8)
R2 – CRITERIUM DE SAINT-CLOUD – 2000m (a1 1/4m) – TURF – GROUPE I – Groupe – Flat – EUR € 250.000
1. RAMADAN – Confirmed the promise of his debut 4th by winning last time and should continue
to improve, though will need to do so to be competitive here
2. ILLINOIS – Made a visually impressive winning debut and looks destined for a career in pattern
races. Must be followed with interest
3. CASAPUEBLO – Exciting Godolphin-owned Le Havre colt who is unbeaten in two starts.
Required to improve in this grade/company but has plenty scope to do so
4. ISLANDSINTHESTREAM – Classy colt with solid form references/credentials, including an eyecatching last-start victory at ParisLongchamp. His experience will stand him in good stead here
5. BRACKEN’S LAUGH – Beat winners/experienced rivals when scoring on debut at Newbury and
is open to any amount of improvement. Dark horse
6. LOS ANGELES – Promising Camelot colt from Ballydoyle. Was an effortless winner on debut
and will have plenty more to offer
7. SHIFFRIN – The only filly in the race but is not without a chance here judged on the
strength/consistency of her form, which includes three wins from her last four starts. Has upset
potential
Summary : ILLINOIS (2) displayed a touch of class when winning with authority on debut and
connections at Ballydoyle have deemed this son of Galileo good enough to go straight into a Group
I event, so it could pay to follow his progress. ISLANDSINTHESTREAM (4), who was excellent
when winning the Prix Haras Bouquetot at Longchamp last month, and undefeated CASAPUEBLO
(3) are other serious candidates for success. LOS ANGELES (6) is another promising Coolmore
colt who won on debut and is open to any amount of improvement in a typically high-class renewal
of this race.
SELECTIONS
ILLINOIS (2) – ISLANDSINTHESTREAM (4) – CASAPUEBLO (3) – LOS ANGELES (6)
R3 – CRITERIUM INTERNATIONAL – 1600m (a1m) – TURF – GROUPE I – Groupe – Flat – EUR € 250.000
1. SAGANTI – Boasts impressive form figures of a win and two 2nd-place finishes from three starts.
Runner-up behind ALCANTOR (6) last time so has more a place chance here than a winning one
2. NAVY SEAL – Won a Galway maiden before finishing a respectable last-start 4th at Group II
level. Can improve to have a say here
3. SUNWAY – One of several exciting and largely unexposed sorts in the lineup. Boasts a serious
level of form, including a 2nd at Group II level ahead of a subsequent Group I winner. Will be a
factor
4. GREY MAN – Has performed absolutely impeccably to this point, winning three of his five starts,
including at Group III level on this course recently, and finishing 2nd in the other two. Has a role to
play
5. PORTLAND – Smart Coolmore colt with commendably consistent form references to his name
as well as the benefit of experience. Not taken lightly `
6. ALCANTOR – Brilliant winner of the Group III Prix Thomas Bryon on this course and looks the
type to hold his own at the highest level. One to beat
7. HAVANA CIGAR – Won consecutive starts before finishing 3rd in three consecutive Group III
races. Should acquit himself competitively once more but has only a place chance
Summary : ALCANTOR (6) oozed class on his way to victory in the Group III Prix Thomas Bryon
and deserves a shot at Group I level, having easily accounted for useful re-opposing rivals
SAGANTI (1) and HAVANA CIGAR (7), who were 2nd and 3rd respectively, on that occasion. He
will, however, face a sterner test from the likes of SUNWAY (3), who beat the excellent Rosallion
before the latter’s coronation in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr. I), Group III winner GRAY MAN
(4) as well as consistent Ballydoyle colts PORTLAND (5) and NAVY SEAL (2), both of whom boast
sound references.
SELECTIONS
ALCANTOR (6) – SUNWAY (3) – GREY MAN (4) – PORTLAND (5)
R4 – PRIX DE L’ELEVAGE – 2500m (a1 9/16m) – TURF – Divised Handicap – Flat – EUR € 53.000
1. PINGO – Efficient in the first half of the year, winning twice, and in the summer proved she
remains more than capable of holding her own at this handicap value, albeit without much margin.
Outsider
2. HELIOPOLIS – Acquitted herself very well against males last time (4th) and is confirmed over
this type of trip. Ought to be competitive
3. QASIDA – Unexposed filly who has already revealed serious means, including finishing 2nd
behind Shakti who subsequently ran 2nd in a Listed race. Winning chance
4. TARAJAL – Won a Quinté+ at Clairefontaine this summer but failed to confirm that
form/performance in a Class 1 race at Toulouse, although wasn’t disgraced. Back in a handicap off
a mark 3,5kg higher
5. OLYMPIC DREAM – Edged out CHEEK TO CHEEK (8) in a close finish here last time, confirming
the improvement of her previous outings. Has a tough task confirming that form here under a
resultant penalty
6. LILI BLUE – Oldest runner in the race but she continues to display commendable consistency.
However, she does not have much margin off her current mark and has been absent for almost
two months
7. QUEEN OF FAIRIES – Consistent sort who has done impeccably well on French soil. Makes her
handicap debut here with legitimate ambitions but has a few questions to answer facing her elders
for the first time
8. CHEEK TO CHEEK – Not seen to best effect in a Quinté+ last month at ParisLongchamp but got
back on track with a good 2nd in a handicap at this venue last time. Should have a role to play
9. VAYDENA – Last-start winner who, seemingly, relished stretching out to a longer distance. Is
significantly up in class now under a 2,5kg penalty and without the benefit of her rider’s allowance
– not likely
10. REVOLTEE – Won a Quinté+ last year at a handicap value of 36.5 and is now racing off a mark
lower than that (35.5), having lost her way since. Needs to reaffirm, so others are preferred
11. ROSIR – Proved, against her contemporaries in the spring, she has the means to compete at
this level of competition. Arrives in good form (conditions races) and has sound claims back in a
handicap
12. LA TEMPLIERE – Took a while to win but has twice failed in as many outings since doing so.
Not incapable at this handicap value and races only against her own sex here, but is best watched
for now
13. LA DIVA D’ALBEN – Shot up the ratings from a value of 22 to 33.5 in just four starts before
finding the going tough in her latest outing (9th). Others make more appeal under these conditions
14. COSTA EDITA – Won a handicap at Dieppe with the aid of Delphine Santiago’s allowance but
has been unable to confirm that level of form/performance in two starts under a 2,5kg penalty. Can
be ruled out 15. TRES ROCK WOMEN – Consistent filly who has proven her worth in Germany and on French
soil too. Progressive type, penalized 2,5kg for her recent success, but should make her presence
felt here
16. AHA – Has proven on several occasions that she has the means to compete at this handicap
value (33), and she also enjoys this Saint-Cloud layout. Has only a place chance even under bottom
weight
Summary : Unexposed QASIDA (3) has confirmed the promise of her debut win with a 3rd and a
2nd in two subsequent starts, and was beaten only by a useful rival (Shakti), who has since run
well in a Listed race, last time out. She is taken to make a winning Quinte+ debut here at the
expense of CHEEK TO CHEEK (8). The latter only narrowly missed out in a handicap at this venue
last time (2nd) and, with a repeat of that performance, should play another leading role.
HELIOPOLIS (2) arrives in good form and, having finished 4th against male rivals last time, ought
to stake a claim against only her own sex. TRES ROCK WOMEN (15), QUEEN OF FAIRIES (7)
and ROSIR (11) are all capable of getting into the picture too. LA TEMPLIERE (12) and AHA (16)
complete the shortlist.
SELECTIONS
QASIDA (3) – CHEEK TO CHEEK (8) – HELIOPOLIS (2) – TRES ROCK WOMEN (15)
R5 – PRIX PERTH – 1600m (a1m) – TURF – GROUPE III – Groupe – Flat – EUR € 80.000
1. TRIBALIST – High class colt that is 3 from 3 this year with all those wins coming at Group level
and he sets a very high standard. One to beat
2. ARNIS MASTER – He’s been quite successful in Germany and Italy but taking on rising
individuals won’t be the easiest task. More needed
3. THE REVENANT – Cracking effort last time out over 1600 at Group three level and meets similar
in this Group three now with the services of Ryan Moore. Big runner
4. ANTHORUS – Ran a very creditable 2nd over the mile at his most recent outing but has his work
cut out taking on stronger. Place chance at best
5. BELBEK – He produced a promising effort at Group two level last time out when finishing 3rd
behind talented sorts and should run another bold race. Strong claims
6. MIRAMIS – Enters this event as one of the outsiders having not reached the heights that some
of these have already. Winner of a Listed race in Ireland. More needed
7. NANO NAGLE – Well held when finishing 2nd in a Listed contest last time out over 1650m and
will need to do a lot more to feature. Others make more appeal
8. AMERICAN FLAG – Two dismal efforts in his last two starts over further and the drop in trip/class
could be a huge factor. Include in larger bets
9. GREGARINA – Failed to feature at Group three level over 1800m but if judged on her previous
form where she was in front of The Revenant two starts back, she’d be a player. Dark horse
10. FONISKA – Romped home to victory in a Listed contest at Naas last time out but now steps up
in class for her first assignment in France. Place chance
Summary : TRIBALIST (1) is doing everything right at the moment and doesn’t seem to be the
finished article which is a huge claim given he’s already won three times at Group level. BELBEK
(5) is an improving 3 year-old colt that has got a bright future ahead of him and looks to be a serious
threat. THE REVENANT (3) is a solid horse that has been a joy for the connections and should run
well. FONISKA (10) gets a pull at the weights being a 3 year-old filly which she’ll need to use to her
advantage.
SELECTIONS
TRIBALIST (1) – BELBEK (5) – THE REVENANT (3) – FONISKA (10)
R6 – PRIX BELLE DE NUIT – 2800m (a1 3/4m) – TURF – GROUPE III – Groupe – Flat – EUR € 80.000
1. SEA THE SKY – Finished 6th over 2400m at Listed level last time out but was far from disgraced
and could take the rise in class in her stride. Each way chance
2. ALPENBLUME – Tested at Group one and two level in her recent starts without any success but
could find her feet in slightly calmer waters. Should run a bold race
3. LYDIA – Arrives back in France on the back of a comfortable win over 2200m in Germany and
she stays very well which is a huge advantage. Strong winning claims
4. MYTHICARA – Two average efforts in her recent outings and she will be tested against some
talented sorts. One to pass by
5. CRYSTAL ESTRELLA – Non Runner
6. CAIUS CHORISTER – It’s been a while between drinks for her but she always does enough to
keep followers interested although she has her work cut out here. Others inspire more confidence
7. WHITE CAVIAR – Enters this event with no stamina concerns but it is hard to see her being a
threat on the form she represents. Others preferred
8. CALIYZA – Ran a cracking 2nd over 3000m last time out showing that she’s at home over these
longer trips but meets tougher. Could surprise
9. SALTWELL – Encouraging performance when stepped up in class by finishing 3rd and there is
more to come from this filly. Include in the play
10. SUNSET POINT – Runner up in recent outings, just finding one too good and she remains open
to more improvement which bodes well for her going forward. Place chance
11. BEAUTY APPROACH – Not the most consistent around but she is a three time winner over in
the Czech Republic. Hard to recommend
12. ROYAL MILA – Up and coming filly that has blotted her copybook just once from four starts but
arrives in winning form from a top yard and could strike on French soil. Big runner
Summary : ROYAL MILA (12) hails from a yard that know how to travel and take home the glory
so she deserves the utmost respect. On the upgrade and looks to have a lot more up her sleeve.
LYDIA (3) loves a real stamina test which she should get here and she’ll be right in it at the line.
ALPENBLUME (2) is very capable and shouldn’t be discounted after two below par performances.
SEA THE SKY (1) could step up significantly on a decent effort in a Listed race.
SELECTIONS
ROYAL MILA (12) – LYDIA (3) – ALPENBLUME (2) – SEA THE SKY (1)
