I felt that the trails looked like poor renewals at Deauville today. I never bothered with a bet in either the Prix Djebel or the Prix Imprudence. Andre Fabre supplied the favourite in both races. Pimento ran well in the colts race but found Fast Raaj a neck too good. Normandy Bridge would have been favourite to my eye despite being beaten four lengths by Van Gogh when last seen but the Fabre horse was slight favourite at 11/4. In the end Normandy Bridge was disappointing in 4th, beaten nearly as far as he was behind O'Brien's colt in the Criterium International at Saint Cloud last October. The winner was introduced to the French Guineas betting at 16/1 but that doesn't appeal to me. Quite how Midlife Crisis (7th today) is in the betting at 25/1 is a mystery to me. In the fillies race the unbeaten See The Rose was a warm order but could not pick up and looked one paced in 4th place. It looked a messy trial and there was no change to the French 1000 Guineas betting, where Philomene was pushed out to 12/1, not long after being 7/1 favourite following her win earlier in the week. For me the Prix De La Grotte is going to be a key trial, with my Guineas selection Sweet Lady among the entries for that race on 18th April. The Prix Fontainebleau is on the same card and Sealiway, the French Guineas favourite is among the entries there and I think he will probably be a warm favourite on the day. Sealiway doesn't appeal to me as the likely winner of the French 2000 Guineas but there is nothing really obvious to put up against him. The ones I have been thinking about do not hold entries prior to the big race itself and the British/Irish entries are debatable participants. The picture is very muddled for now but I have had another bet on Sweet Lady for the French 1000 Guineas because I think that those odds are far bigger than her actual chance.
Disappointing form Eileendover - whether the ground didn't suit or she just didn't perform, not sure. The turn of foot just wasn't there.
2nd - not sure whether he would have won had he jumped the last better.. Only one winner today that ran at Cheltenham and he didn't complete in the Champion Hurdle. Is it too early to write off those who ran at the festival and go with those that are fresh having swerved it?
Great shout! Came 2nd, I backed it for a place. Do you know when it will be out again soon? Also if you get any more news on French racing pls let us know. Its much appreciated. From time to time I get the headsup on certain runners. Have a good day!
He gets it from me Well done with Jazzaway - didn't tell you beforehand that I had sixpence on it in case you got depressed
A good friend of mine knows a few enthusiasts who have vested interests. They don't all win, however they really do go for it. I personally still cross check with stats and form before making a decision.