Today’s horse racing preview features six selections, coming from The Curragh & Chantilly who host some top quality group action from France.
12.50 Chantilly – Qater Prix Du Petit Couvert (Group 3) (5f)
Fashion Queen meets Kylland Rock on a 1lb worse term this time around from their 1-2 at York in the Listed Westow Stakes, but I would expect Kyllang Rock to be a lot closer to that form after his solid second recently at Nottingham when behind Ornate. Two other British entries here are Evil Spell and Lady Macapa, the latter would be the one of interest being form a yard that have been firing in big race winners over the past week. Clive Cox will not have the services of Adam Kirby this afternoon but nevertheless, he will have the likes of Luke Morris in the plate.
She has not been seen since finishing third behind Magical Memory in the Listed Hackwood Stakes at Newbury back in July, she has plenty of speed in her pedigree being by Equiano, however she will have to step up from her 93 winning mark last year to land the spoils here. Strangely enough this race has gone to British trainers for the past eight years,
Out of the four British entries that have travelled, I have to be bias to Fashion Queen, it’s great to have the likes of Maxin Guyon riding for the Clipper Logistic team, would have preferred Danny Tudhope of course but he will be in Ireland.
FASHION QUEEN : 1pt Each Way @ SP (BOG OR PLU)
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13.50 Chantilly – Qatar Prix Niel (Group 2) (12f)
We have not seen a British trained winner of this race for 16 years, the last one came back in 2001 when Sir Michael Stoute sent over Golan to succeed. This year we see John Gosden’s Cracksman who on paper should be winning this after his recent success in the Group 2 Great Voltigeur at York’s Ebor meeting, but I am totally against him.
Pascal Bary has his string in fine fettle, with a current strike rate of 42%, he saddles here Ice Breeze who’s last run came in the Group 1 Grand Prix De Paris at Saint-Cloud. He won prior to that when taking the Group 2 Prix Hocquart when under pilot Vincent Cleminaud, but surprisingly enough the jockey has deserted him for Andre Farbre’s Finche. The pair teamed up back in 2015 when winning this race with New Bay who went on to land another Group 3 before being retired to stud,
Finche comes into this off the back of winning the Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam, stable mate Avillus was back in third by just under two lengths. Stepping up this afternoon into unknown territory around the index of 12f , but he is sired by the mighty Frankel, out of Binche and I feel he will take this contest in his stride.
FINCHE : 2pt Win @ 9/2 (BOG or PLU)
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14.35 Curragh – Moyglare ‘Jewels’ Blanford Stakes (Group 2) (10f)
One of the most under-rated jockeys on the circuit when riding away from his stable is Danny Tudhope, who could have been in France for the weekend, but has elected to come here and ride out for Willie Haggas on Sea of Grace. She was so impressive when landing the Listed Dick Hern Stakes last month under Atzeni, beating Danny Tudhope into second on the consistent Lincoln Rocks.
Obviously Tudhope has seen a potential Group success for him, Sea of Grace was probably a very unlucky loser in last years French 1000gns when beaten by Preciuse, two main winners to come out of that race were Rain Goddess and Roly Poly. She takes on Rain Goddess once more who has improved since to land the Group 3 Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes over the 9f trip here at the Curragh, but to reverse the form I cannot see it.
So who can chase her home, with three year old’s having the best win ratio in this race it can only be the Aidan O’Brien pair in Alluringly and Rain Goddess, the former ran well for a long way in this years Epsom Oaks, her main success was around Listed company this year, however she looks a pace maker here I think, Rain Goddess looks the main danger, especially from the French 1000gns, I would fear her the most in this line up.
SEA OF GRACE : 2pt Win @ 11/4 (BOG)
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15.05 Curragh – Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes (Group 2) (5f)
Ger Lyon’s Ardhoomey is attempting to go back to back in wins in this race and achieve what has only been done by four other horses in this races. I would say he is coming into this in better form than when landing this race last year. With two thirds to his name in Listed and pattern company over the past couple of months he has to be feared despite having to give weight all round.
All the rage though is Ballydoyle’s Carravaggio, he drops back this afternoon to the minimum trip which saw him unbeaten as a juvenile (2-2), will relish the cut in the ground and that finishing kick he has in the closing stages, is the one to beat. But you guessed it, I am going to take him on here with Charles Hills Cotai Glory. This horse is probably the unluckiest sprinter this year having to compete behind the likes of Marsha, Lady Aurelia and Take Cover, proven Group 1 winners, so is compensation on the card, I cannot see why not, he’s been consistent enough.
COTAI GLORY : 3pt Win @ 7/2 (BOG)
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15.15 Chantilly – Qatar Prix Vermeille (Group 1) (12f)
This looks a solid head to head between Bateel and God Given with the latter getting the verdict for Luca Cumani. Firstly Bateel who has notched up wins this year in the Group 3 Pinnacle Stakes and more recently the Group 2 Prix Promone where she defeated the likes of Abingdon. Her only effort at this level came in last years Champion Mare & Fillies Stakes at Ascot where she finished last of thirteen. I do feel she has to step up again despite her current form to defeat God Given.
She has come on so quickly since landing her maiden at Haydock by a commanding four lengths, she showed that was no fluke when winning the Listed Aphrodite Stakes at Newmarket, and lastly, she really impressed me at Deauville when she took apart a strong field in the Group 3 Prix Minerve, her age to weight allowance is going to give her a massive claim to win this, Jamie Spencer will ride her once more.
GOD GIVEN: 2pts each way @ 9/1 (BOG & PLU)
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15.40 Curragh – Moyglare Stud Stakes (Group 1) (7f)
The question is who’s turn is it this time, Which one of O’Brien’s horses will land this renewal? I just cannot take the trainer on trust these days after he has pulled the wool over our eyes too many times. He saddles five entries here and on paper the best filly in the race is Clemmie, but will that be the case at the line?
She has come on nicely this year landing the Group 2 Grangecon Stakes and Duchess of Cambridge Stakes back in July. She will come off a five and half week break which should not inconvenience her too much. However with stiff opposition form her stable I do feel she has to step up to beat Jessica Harrington’s Alpha Centauri.
She should be 3-3 in her career when beaten by French raider Different League in the Albany Stakes, the thing here is that progeny’s of Mastercraftsman tend to take time to come to hand, she is most definitely very forward for a juvenile. She steps up to 7f for the first time and I feel she will make her presence felt here under Colm O’Donoghue.
ALPHA CENTAURI : 4pt Win @ 4/1 (NAP) (BOG)
Best of Luck, Bet Responsibly
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