If you thought that the Epsom Derby was open, take a look at the Prix Du Jockey Club (French Derby). The seventeen that face the starter hardly have any experience between them – other than the foreign raiders.
Zarkava’s son Zarak disappointed in the Poulains and has not been done any favours by the wide draw on his fourth start. Dicton finished ahead of him at Deauville but is not much better drawn and Ballydoyle’s Bravery is also out wide. The Ballydoyle second string, Black Sea, has the inside draw but does he have the ability?
On form, the best of the foreign raiders is John Gosden’s Dante third Foundation. He has questions to answer having being turned over on his last three visits to the track, twice as favourite. Given the performance of the Dante winner at Epsom, does the York form look good enough to win here?
The other two ties to the Epsom form do not look great either. Robin Of Navan was beaten by Epsom also-ran Cloth of Stars on his seasonal bow, whilst Ulysses hardly advertised the case for his promising conqueror Imperial Aviator; nonetheless, I hope Roger Charlton’s charge runs well as he was very fetching at Newbury but the ground is very soft here.
Andre Fabre fields two inexperienced colts for Godolphin but both of them appear to need a large leap in form if they are to add to Fabre’s race tally. Jean-Claude Rouget won one of the principal trials, the Prix Hocquart at Deauville with Mekhtaal (son of Sea The Stars) hacking up as Ventura Storm trailed in, and would look the obvious favourite if he was not drawn wide!
Soft ground course and distance winner RASEED has a good draw and Freddie Head’s son of Dubawi can take advantage by finding the necessary improvement to win again.
Back on this side of La Manche, I am trying to convince myself to back nine-year-old Seaside Sizzler in the 3:30 at Goodwood. Perhaps I will wait until I have some winnings to play with...
