Across Europe, this is a good Sunday to follow an amazing Qipco Champions Saturday at Ascot. With Group and listed races in Italy, France and Ireland we are looking forward to getting stuck in today. Later in the evening the wonderful Woodbine in Canada plays host to the International and this is definitely worth staying up for.
2:45 CHANTILLY Prix du Conseil de Paris (Group 2) (3yo+) (Turf) 1m4f
This is a good race to kick off Sunday. Not many runners but 4 all in with a chance. One Foot in Heaven has at last found a race he is capable of winning after mixing with the big boys in Group 1’s. At this level he looks progressive. Now We Can is on a recovery mission after time off and it’s interesting that his best figures are over further than this but his last two runs have been over shorter. He looks a live chance at this trip, if they go a decent gallop. Tiberian is better over a further and that leaves us with Berkshire, Paul Cole’s, British raider. He is lightly raced and could be good enough but we haven’t seen that yet over this trip. We will side with the Nicola Clement horse, Now We Can.
1 unit win Now We Can
3:15 CHANTILLY Prix Casimir Delamarre (Listed Race) (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) (Turf) 1m1f
This is tricky. At this time of year trainers want black type for their fillies and are prepared to chase it around Europe, hence the three UK runners. Spring Leaf would have featured but our suspicion is she would prefer a firmer surface. Rostove has already given best to the admirable Golden Stunner but that was a while ago and Rostova looks the strongest of the British contingent. That leaves us with two, Classe Vendome for Patrick Sogorb and Magnolea for the all conquering Jean Claude Rouget. Magnolea looks the one to be with. No ground worries and the potential to improve further.
2 units e/w Magnolea.
1 unit e/w Rostove
3:55 SAN SIRO Premio Jockey Club (Group 1) (3yo+) (Turf) 1m4f
The Italian class act is Dylan Mouth and they will cheer him to the rafters but he simply hasn’t fired this year either at home or in Germany. If he returns to his best then he will win but that’s not a punting proposition. If he doesn’t win then it will be either Arab Spring or Ventura Storm who takes Group 1 glory. Tactically the most versatile of the two is Arab Spring and we think he will win.
2 units win Arab Spring
4:55 NAAS Clodovil European Breeders Fund Garnet Stakes (Listed Race) 1m
With 19 in the race luck will come in to it at Naas but on rain softened ground you will need to stay this trip and we are looking for stoutly bred horses with talent and the ability to lay up with the pace. Three year olds have held sway over the last 10 years and that is where we start. Unbeaten and proven on the ground Rose De Pierre for Dermot Weld will be all the rage. Just three runs means she is open to any improvement. Glamorous Approach drops back in trip and is interesting if there is any further rain for Jim Bolger and outside those two the 4yo of Sir Michael Stoute who ran a career best last time out over slightly further in a Group 3 at Gowran comes in to the reckoning.
2 units e/w Rose De Pierre
1 unit e/w Intimation
5:25 NAAS Anjaal European Breeders Fund Bluebell Stakes (Listed Race) 1m4f
Avenante, Island Remede, Toe the Line and Hibiscus are top of our list of hopefuls in this 16 runner contest. We are going to take two out of that list. Toe the Line who may just be ready to win a race of this type and Hibiscus who will undoubtedly be popular from the O’Brien stable and is proven over this trip.
1 unit e/w Toe the Line
1 unit e/w Hibiscus
10:40 WOODBINE Pattison Canadian International Stakes (Grade 1) (3yo+) (Turf) 1m4f
One of our favourite races on the American continent and one in which European raiders have had great success. This nine strong field is a credit to the track and race. Danish Dynaformer has Joel Rosario on board and he, despite finishing close to Mondialiste in the Arlington Million doesn’t look good enough to beat this field after a lack lustre performance behind The Pizza Man. World Approval has a similar problem in that he couldn’t get by The Pizza Man either and for that reason the Pizza Man carries USA hopes but he too would have to produce a career best to take a hand in this so it looks like the £229,000 first prize will end up in Europe – but with whom? Dartmouth, for the Queen would be a popular winner but he might just be a bit slow even if that big straight will help him. Erupt hasn’t so far this year but his 5th in the Arc last year entitles him to have a squeak and that brings us to Idaho who was so unlucky when travelling well in our St leger and so convincing at York when he got wound up. We have our fears about his turn of foot but if it’s a battle he will prevail. But who is going to make the pace? For us the most versatile horse in the race is Protectionist and he is the safest option for a German Victory.
2 units e/w Protectionist.
