Another very good Sunday afternoon of Group racing around France and Ireland with lots of clues already provided. Looking forward to a really good afternoon with these horses.
2:40 CUR Flame Of Tara European Breeders Fund Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) 1m
There isn’t much between these on what they have done so far and a lot will boil down to who handles the track. Bound was a long way behind Butterflies when they last met but ran a lot better last time out. Eziyra lowered the colours of Hydrangea back in July and that form looks pretty useful and Sea of Grace did a job on Eziyra last time out which brings the John Oxx horse in to the reckoning. On the promise of further improvement we will side with the Weld runner.
2 units win Eziyra
3:50 CUR Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes (Group 3) 1m1f
We can only make a case for 3 fillies in this Group 3. The proven form of Somehow, who is tough, consistent and the type of horse that is well up to taking a race at this level. Skiffle who was disappointing at Epsom but very good at Goodwood before taking up the Oaks engagement and trainer Charlie Appelby has given her plenty of time to recover. The final one is Adool whose career didn’t start until June this year and for whom winning has been easy but not at a very high level. This is her biggest test. We feel she may come up a bit short.
1 unit e/w Somehow
1 unit e/w Skiffle
4:20 GOO Doom Bar Supreme Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 7f
Some decent 7f specialists here. We tipped up Opal Tiara last time out and she duly obliged but that was a lot easier than this task. Jallota just falls short at this level and Convey is hard to catch right but is clearly well thought of at home. Coulsty might be back to his best and a possible fly in the ointment and Breton Rock is a specialist at this trip and regularly the marker. However, Danny Tadhope may not have been that happy when he looked back at the tape of So beloved last run at York. He let the winner, Nemoralia get first run and importantly momentum on him having travelled like the best horse in the race. He won’t make that mistake again.
2 units e/w So Beloved.
4:25 CUR Round Tower Stakes (Group 3) 6f
He won’t be much of a price but he will win, that being Intelligence Cross for Aiden O’Brien. He has been in against Mehmas and failed, as everyone else has this year but that is the best form on offer and he may even improve again. That Mehmas form keeps holding up against all comers. He will be too strong for these.
4 units win Intelligence Cross
3:10 DEA Lucien Barriere Grand Prix de Deauville (Group 2) (3yo+) (Turf) 1m4f110y
This race is remarkable for the fact that none of the so called “top French trainers” has a runner in it but we do have arguably the 4 best French jockeys riding in this Group 2. All the horses have been in deep this year Garlingari was within 3 lengths of New Bay who looked convincing when winning and advertising his Arc credentials whilst easing up, that distance probably flattered. Erupt was beaten by Highland Reel by 4 lengths, no disgrace there as he has franked the form at the highest level making Postponed pull out all the stops. Siljans Saga was best when taking Speedy Boarding to ½ a length over 10.5f at Saint Cloud and then not so good over this trip and Savoir Vivre has some impressive form in Germany, particularly the strong staying run in the Derby on heavy ground.
He will be the biggest price so let’s take a chance with the German Raider with the French name on what could be soft ground. He has proven stamina and a bit of class.
2 units win Savoir Vivre
3:55 DEA Prix Quincey Barriere (Group 3) (3yo+) (Straight) (Turf) 1m
Andre Fabre’s Candide is better than she showed in her only run at 3yo and more is expected in this race from her. Maximum Aurelius has been ultra-consistent and if a couple don’t improve he will get that Group win. Stephane Pasquier on Siyoushake might have something to say about that. Freddie Heads filly has got within 4l of Qemah and since then the other 3 in front of her have all won. She is our selection
2 units e/w Siyoushake
4:25 DEA Prix de Meautry Barriere (Group 3) (3yo+) (Turf) 6f
Freddie Heads day could get a whole lot better within a half hour as he sends out Yakaba, a filly who found 5f just a little too short last time and 7f, just a bit too far the time before and just like the girl with the blonde hair this trip and ground looks “just right”. Karar might provide the stiffest opposition if it’s a slog as he has stamina on his side and if it’s a crawl then Silver Rainbow might better the filly again but we expect her to put things right in this race
2 units e/w Yakaba.
