Another terrific Sunday of racing across Europe. Leopardstown serves up a listed and Group 3 race, we have group one races in Italy and France and a Group 3 in Germany, with Racebets being the only place you can bet on all European races easily there is never a reason not to be involved and today we are going to do just that.
2:35 LEOPARDSTOWN Trigo Stakes (Listed Race) 1m2f
On the form shown in the second race of his career on similar ground you would be all over Zawraq if he hadn’t been off the course since April 15 but that is less a problem these days and having waited so long Dermot Weld wouldn’t have chosen now if he wasn’t right. Hibiscus is probably the chief danger with the step back in trip no problem and Santa Monica is worth a look in the betting. In reality it’s all about Zawnaq and if he has retained his undoubted ability, if the market agrees then you really need to get stuck in.
3 units win Zawnaq
3:05 LEOPARDSTOWN Killavullan Stakes (Group 3) 7f
The sole filly in the race, Making Light looks to have achieved most so far and deserves a group try after her demolition of the field in her maiden at Limerick. She will have no trip or ground worries. Ger Lyons Territory was also a good debut winner but this will be harder in just your second start. Taj Mahal is probably better than a handicapper and his head 2nd to Yucatan now looks impressive but he is most exposed. Jim Bolger’s Holistic Approach steps up in trip after a debut win and John Oxx’s Born to Be, looked like he needed further when 2nd in a Listed contest at Fairyhouse. We think there is more to come at this trip from Born to Be and he is the selection
1 unit e/w Born to Be
2:45 SAINT CLOUD Prix de Flore (Group 3) (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) (Turf) 1m2f110y
This is a really good fillies and mares race. We like Furia Cruzada, who has run against the best in 2016 and acquitted herself well when the ground is softer, which it is for this race. Her run at Newmarket last time out was too bad to be true so lets ignore that. Sharja Queen got it right last time out at Newmarket and whilst this is a quest for black type by Roger Varian, she looks up to it. Not Only Florina has some interesting form and might be better than she has shown so far with the same applying to Luca Cumani’s Loving Things. It’s a tight contest that won’t take a lot of winning for the grade of race.
2 units e/w Furia Cruzada
2:50 CAPANNELLE Premio Ribot – Mem. Loreto Luciani (Group 3) (3yo+) (Turf) 1m
These races are notoriously hard to win if your name isn’t Botti!. In this race the same rule applies . Kaspersky is a horse we tipped up to win in Dusseldorf when he triumphed so we think his Group 2 win and his Group 1 third rate the best form in this race. If only it was that simple. Priore Philip has been off a long time but has the ability to take a hand in this race and Basileus certainly rates a look. In theory it should be all about Kaspersky for Endo Botti and Cristian Demuro, so lets stick with the theory
3 units win Kaspersky
3:10 BADEN BADEN Ittlingen – Preis Der Winterkonigin (Group 3) (2yo Fillies) (Turf) 1m
Arazza’s win in a listed contest at Cologne is impressive form in the context of this race and she had both Pamina and Saloon Sold in behind so there is no obvious reason for that form to be reversed and no weight penalty either. Wadia could prove to be the biggest danger as her debut 2nd was full of encouragement as was Wind Cries Mary. They might all have to get past Frangipani who was impressive when winning on debut and looked a filly to keep on the right side of.
1 unit e/w Frangipani
3:25 SAINT CLOUD Prix Royal-Oak (Group 1) (3yo+) (Turf) 1m7f110y
Now this is a quality staying race worthy of Royal Ascot. Vazirabad is just one of the local hopes and after just being nutted on the line in the Cadran they will be keen to set the record straight in this race. Quick Jack scorched away from the field at Leopardstown and further might even be better for him. Sky Hunter is good over shorter but can perform over this trip and is a consideration as is the enigmatic Pallasator who has form not that far behind Vazirabad, on a line through Quest for More. Siljans Saga comes off a good run in the Arc and this extended trip could be perfect if he can relax and travel. Endless Time also steps up in trip after a good 12f run at Chantilly and may find this distance ok. They seem to be the chief protagonists. We might find a staying superstar of the future in this race and if there is one then it is probably the Arc 4th
2 untis e/w Siljans Saga
4:05 CAPANNELLE Premio Lydia Tesio (Group 1) (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) (Turf) 1m2f
Laganore came over the channel from Ireland and bolted up at Newmarket over this trip and now Tony Martin takes her over another channel to claim a Group 1 scalp in Italy. If she runs as well in Italy she will win this race as nothing has run to her mark yet. Ed Walker’s Persona Non Grata might give her most to do but has to improve on her last Group 3 fourth where, she was a tad unlucky. We would be surprised if Powder Snow was good enough but not shocked. Zghorta Dance has patches of form for the all conquering Jean Claude Rouget that means she has place claims. It looks like an Irish win in a group race and this time the trainer isn’t an O’Brien.
2 units e/w Laganore
4:20 BADEN BADEN Baden-Wurttemberg-Trophy – Defi du Galop (Group 3) (3yo+) (Turf) 1m2f
Incantator sets the standard in this race, for Andreas Wohler and his Group 3 run last time out was better than it looks on paper as it wasn’t run to suit. Capitano was bettered by Devastar last time out at Hoppegarten but that form line may not hold for this race. Palace Prince was in the same race and he might just be the one to take out of that race as he looks to get back to the form of his good group runs. Fair Mountain rarely runs a bad race but at this level quite often finds one too good. Luck will come in to it in this size field but in the hope they go a good gallop we will side with Palace Prince
1 unit e/w Palace Prince
