The 185th Prix du Jockey Membership is the spotlight of a stellar 10-race card at Chantilly this Sunday – stay on Sky Sports activities Racing – which additionally options 4 different Group races in addition to two Listed contests.
The Listed Prix la Flèche (1.05pm) can function a stepping stone to the Prix Robert Papin, and doubtlessly even the Prix Morny. André Fabre hasn’t gained the race since 1997, whereas his final runner appeared again in 2011, however we’ll see if Focus can break this lengthy drought for the grasp coach. Nonetheless, I would be extra tempted to facet with Karl Burke’s cost Tremendous Soldier, who might effectively be a Royal Ascot prospect, so an interesting race awaits!
The Group 3 Prix du Gros-Chêne (1.40pm) brings collectively some French handicap sprinters to tackle the UK-trained, Group 1 winner Type Of Blue. Whereas Toyotomi appears the choose of the house group, James Fanshawe’s colt seemingly towers over the sector and seems to be the banker on the cardboard.
2.20pm – Prix de Sandringham
My first choice, nonetheless, comes within the Group 2 Prix de Sandringham, a race for three-year-old fillies over a mile. The names of the previous three winners present that it takes a particular filly to land this precious prize, and Vadinska may simply have the suitable profile so as to add her title to that checklist.
She was massively spectacular on her debut at Saint-Cloud in Might, making her 9 rivals look very gradual compared. You possibly can take a look at that victory two methods: both her opponents had been beneath par or Vadinska is genuinely one thing particular. The third and fourth-placed fillies from that race have each run once more since, ending fifth and fourth respectively in a 14-runner maiden at Dieppe final weekend. They’re no stars, however they’re actually not gradual.
Moreover, Francis-Henri Graffard has run sufficient sensible three-year-olds this season to know precisely the place this daughter of Kodiac stands. This race appears the subsequent logical step for her and there is little purpose to doubt her readiness. A brief-enough beginning worth is predicted, however confidence is excessive.
3.05pm – Qatar Prix du Jockey Membership
With 18 runners set to line up, the Qatar Prix du Jockey Membership is way from a simple race to evaluate. Nevertheless, I have been tempted to facet with Ridari, a son of Churchill skilled by Mikel Delzangles.
Soundly crushed on debut at Saint-Cloud final October when making the working, he broke his maiden on his subsequent begin right here on the fibresand, displaying a pointy flip of foot within the course of. He then returned to motion in April to narrowly win the Group 3 Prix de Fontainebleau over a mile at ParisLongchamp, scoring by only a nostril on the line.
His newest effort noticed him run an excellent race to complete fifth of 16 within the Poule d’Essai des Poulains three weeks in the past, displaying a notable enchancment in each his angle and maturity. Mickael Barzalona’s mount completed simply behind the re-opposing Camille Pissarro (third) and Luther (4th) however clocked the quickest ultimate two furlongs within the race, regardless of being barely hampered within the closing levels, which presumably price him third place.
This colt has progressed with each begin, each bodily and mentally. His temperament has taken an enormous step ahead too this season, and in response to his coach he is continued to enhance since his final run. Delzangles additionally skilled Ridari’s dam Ridasiyna, who delivered a career-best efficiency to land the Group 1 Prix de l’Opéra over a mile and 1 / 4 in 2012. I do not imagine we have seen the very best of Ridari but, and this step up in journey could possibly be simply what he must unleash his full potential.
With such a big area on supply, it is also price taking an each-way swing on Al Aali at an enormous worth, who caught the attention when ending second behind Cualificar within the Group 3 Prix de Guiche at Chantilly, and comfortably away from Curragh Camp in third. Al Aali recorded the quickest ultimate three furlongs that day and seems to have been intentionally saved recent for this race, and from a great attract stall seven, I simply cannot write him off.
It is also price mentioning Sinileo, a colt that has formally solely ran as soon as however in actuality has had two begins, together with his first coming in an unofficial Afasec race reserved for future apprentices. He is skilled by André Fabre and has been supplemented for the race, with Maxime Guyon opting to take the experience. He seems to be massively gifted, and if he wins regardless of his lack of expertise then it will likely be as a result of he’s merely distinctive. Why not?
4.25pm – Grand Handicap de Chantilly
The seventh race on the cardboard is the large handicap of the day, a contest for four-year-olds and upwards over a mile and a half. I just like the profile of King Trezy right here, who has had simply the 2 runs to date this season.
He completed fourth of seven on his seasonal reappearance in a Class 3 at Longchamp in April, when clearly in want of the run, however confirmed vital progress final trip to complete runner-up in a similarly-competitive handicap on the similar monitor, crushed three-quarters of a size by the re-opposing Again To Black. This time, nonetheless, the son of Le Havre is 3.5kg higher off on the weights, which ought to be greater than sufficient to see that type reversed, particularly from a great attract stall 5, in comparison with Again To Black caught out large in stall 16.
The most important hazard might as a substitute be Pay To Be taught, who actually has the shape to win a race like this, although I wasn’t solely satisfied by his comeback run at Compiegne, the place he drifted left beneath strain. He is possible to enhance for that outing, however maybe not sufficient to beat King Trezy of right here.
5pm – Prix de Royaumont
My ultimate choice of the day comes within the Group 3 Prix de Royaumont, a race for three-year-old fillies over an prolonged mile and a half. It appears like Sunly could possibly be a really particular filly judged on the style by which she’s gained her first two profession begins, together with a 1m 3f Listed contest at Longchamp in Might, the place she completed two and a half lengths away from the re-opposing Konada.
The daughter of Evening Of Thunder is out of a a number of Graded stakes-winning mare within the US, profitable over journeys starting from 1m 2f to 1m 7f. Coach Francis-Henri Graffard has admitted the filly took some time to come back to herself this season, and even final trip she wasn’t fairly there by way of her coat and general situation. She has reportedly improved bodily since then, nonetheless, and will effectively flip into a really sensible particular person.
I will be very to see how she appears within the paddock earlier than the race, however I am assured she’ll seem higher than she did forward of her earlier two wins. Hopefully she will observe within the footsteps of Aventure, who outclassed her rivals on this race 12 months in the past.
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