At Chantilly, it is difficult to envisage anything but a home win in either the Prix Du Petit Couvert or the Prix Gladiateur (last year’s victor Vazirabad back for a repeat) but the raiders do have chances elsewhere.
In the two feature Group 1 races, the raiders hold a strong hand.
The Prix Du Moulin favourite Ribchester will be very hard to beat and his principle opponent looks to be last year’s Guineas runner-up Massaat, easy winner of the Hungerford on his only race this term, although Lightning Spear is an interesting supplementary entry. The other Hamdan runner Taareef has quit an impressive record but not at the top level, whilst Inns Of Court looks a little short of the required level as does Lady Frankel. The home team should be chasing the place money here.
Last year’s Prix Vermeille victor Left Hand is back, having not won since, but I do not believe any filly/mare has won consecutive runnings and last year’s runner-up Endless Time is also here to give the impression this is a Group 1 in name only again. It is not impossible that Ajman Princess has enough improvement to collect here at the expense of fellow raiders Blond Me and The Black Princess . Strathspey looks the most likely of the three year olds but I like Francis-Henri Graffard’s Group 2 winner BATEEL to step up a level here.
Neither of the other two Arc Trials looks particularly inspiring.
The Japanese raider Satono Diamond should win the Prix Foy if he is to be a serious contender in the big race in three weeks. Silverware is not really a Group 1 horse and Talismanic does not look the grade either so the main challenge may come from Prix Ganay winner Cloth Of Stars. Andre Fabre’s colt could be over-priced at 33/1 for the Arc, having not raced since May and possibly using this as a warm-up wherever he finishes.
I expect that Cracksman will be a very short price for the Prix Niel after his demolition job in the Great Voltigeur. The other Frankel colt Finche ought to be the biggest threat; however, it would be folly to write off Ice Breeze as John Gosden’s colt has not been beating much to win and there are no Group 1 winners in the quintet.
If I can get the France Galop Wi-Fi to work for me, I will try and post from Chantilly...