Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium), 6th October

At the first forfeit stage for the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium), the following fourteen have stood their ground:

Kingman (GB) – J. Gosden
Al Muthana – F. Graffard
Charm Spirit (IRE) – F. Head
Noozhoh Canarias (SPA) – E. Leon Penate
Craftsman (IRE) – A. O’Brien
Oklahoma City (GB) – A. O’Brien
Wilshire Boulevard (IRE) – A. O’Brien
Outstrip (GB) – C. Appleby
Cable Bay (IRE) – C. Hills
Another Party – M. Palussiere
Giovanni Boldini (USA) – A. O’Brien
Karakontie (JPN) – J. Pease
Barley Mow (IRE) – R. Hannon
Baby Foot (IRE) – F. Rossi

From an Anglo-Irish perspective this is looking like a fascinating contest with Kingman and Outstrip facing off against three Ballydoyle contenders.

 

Final declarations for the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium) (draw in parentheses):

01 Al Muthana – F. Graffard, J. Murtagh (8)
02 Charm Spirit (IRE) – F. Head, O. Peslier (4)
03 Noozhoh Canarias (SPA) – E. Leon Penate, C. Soumillon (5)
04 Wilshire Boulevard (IRE) – A. O’Brien, R. Moore (2)
05 Another Party – M. Palussiere, (3)
06 Karakontie (JPN) – J. Pease, S. Pasquier (1)
07 Barley Mow (IRE) – R. Hannon, R. Hughes (7)
08 Baby Foot (IRE) – F. Rossi, F. Blondel (6)

What a shame that Kingman, Outstrip and the two other Aidan O’Brien entries have defected. I guess John Gosden’s charge is heading for Newmarket.

 

Here is a brief synopsis of the form gleaned from the France Galop website:

Al Muthana (26 Feb 11) - winner of one of five starts, latest unplaced in Gp3 at Chantilly (1100m), previously won minor event at Aix-Les-Bains (1200m).
Charm Spirit (26 Feb 11) - winner of one of two starts, latest won minor event at Longchamp (1400m).
Noozhoh Canarias (19 Jan 11) - unbeaten in three starts, latest won Listed race at La Teste Buch (1200m), previously won two minor events in Madrid (1200m and 800m).
Wilshire Boulevard (21 Feb 11) - winner of two of six starts, latest second in Gp2 at York (1200m), previously won in Gp3 at The Curragh (1200m) and minor event at Navan (1200m).
Another Party (22 Feb 11) - winner of two of seven starts, latest second in Gp3 at Chantilly (1100m), previously won minor events at Maison-Laffitte (1200m) and Lyon Parilly (1000m).
Karakontie (30 Jan 11) - winner of two of three starts, latest won in Gp3 at Longchamp (1400m), previously second Listed race at Deauville and won minor event at Compiegne.
Barley Mow (19 Apr 11) - winner of one of two starts, latest second Listed race at Doncaster (1400m), previously won minor event at Newbury (1400m).
Baby Foot (26 Feb 11) - winner of two of three starts, latest second Listed race at Deauville (1600m), previously won minor events at Vichy (1400m) and Mar. Borely (1200m).

The bare form here would suggest that Wilshire Boulevard should start favourite on the balance of his efforts whilst Karakontie has the best form of the home team. Charm Spirit could be anything and comes from top connections as does British raider Barley Mow. Spanish raider Noozhoh Canarias is impossible to assess.