The Prix Morny field at Deauville is totally dominated by the raiders but do I want to back Campanelle as Happy Romance is the only filly to have done anything for the Queen Mary form by winning two sales races? The extra furlong and the soft ground look like other reasons to give her a miss. Richard Fahey’s Rhythm Master could be anything, coming here from an easy win in a Haydock novice event on debut. So that does kind of lead to The Queen’s Tactical, winner of the Windsor Castle and the July Stakes, but Yazaman hardly did anything for the form of either race at York. I hope the Fahey colt proves that Haydock was not a fluke but otherwise this is just one to watch.
Whilst Frankie could be out of luck in the Morny, he ought to pick up the Prix Jean Romanet on Nazeef, who is clearly the best horse in what looks a Group 1 in name only. Nazeef’s third in the Nassau looks the best form on offer, although the runner-up did little to advertise it in the Yorkshire Oaks. Of the other raiders, Bolleville has won a couple of Listed races and Audarya is a handicapper. The home team features Ambition, winner of a five runner Group 2 at Lyon and Dariyma, winner of a Chantilly Listed race.
Frankie’s best chance of a winner at a backable price looks like veteran Red Verdon in the Prix Kergorlay, facing Northumberland Plate third Collide and last year’s runner-up Call The Wind, coming here after running second in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier at Chantilly – the winner of that race San Huberto ran behind Red Verdon last time, so the form here is a bit of a mess because of the way races are run in France.
The British bookies taking no chances with any of Frankie’s rides, with Grand Glory in the Prix De Pomone favoured over German raider SATOMI, winner of a Hamburg Group 2 last time, and Group 3 winner Ebaiyra. Clearly the German horse is being aimed at another go at the Prix Royallieu.
At Sandown, last year’s winner of the Atalanta Stakes, Lavender’s Blue will find it tougher this year and the Perrett yard’s last winner was Cozone in the middle of July (11 places from 39 runners since). The form book makes this a match between the disappointing three year old Quadrilateral and the 2018 1000 Guineas winner Billesdon Brook; and my preference would be for the latter. I expect I will not be the only one with the notebook out for the Solario as it occasionally throws up a decent horse.
