 UK Expert - Wally Pyrah |
|
|---|---|
| With a mark of excellence in the business for over 30 years, Wally Pyrah has been notable to many in UK's racing industry. He had long been a key editorial member of The Racing Post, UK's authoritative racing/ sports wagering press, and is integral part of the expert cast in various preview shows - on screen and through the air – to major international racedays on a regular basis, such as the European classics. | |
Overseas Expert Column for Prix du Jockey Club (Wally Pyrah)
S2-2 Prix du Jockey Club
Simulcast bettors could have a headache with the Prix du Jockey Club. Most of the trials form in the lead up to the race, have been run on soft or heavy conditions, and the latest forecast is that the race will be run on good to fast ground. Some facts that may prove helpful before making a final decision are that 7 out of the last 10 winners won their latest race, 7 out of the last 10 winners ran in a Group or Listed race at Longchamp, 10 out of 10 winners finished in the first three in their latest race, 3 of the last 6 winners were drawn 1-5 and 6 out of the last 10 winners started at odds of 13 or bigger.
The obvious favourite will be FRENCH FIFTEEN who was headed in the final 100 meters by CAMELOT in the English 2000 Guineas at Newmarket last month. This six times winner from 9 races, has the breeding to suggest he will stay the 2100-meter distance – his sire won the Prix Jean Prat which is the best trial for the Prix du Jockey Club – and on all known form he is the one to beat.
Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre has the best record in the race with six victories and relies on the consistent LUNAYIR. The three-year-old won over 2000 meters at Chantilly nearly two weeks back, but had previously found rival ALBION too good when beaten over that distance at Longchamp in April.
ALBION is one of two runners representing legendry handler Andre Fabre. The champion trainer, who has won the race twice, was full of confidence about the future of ALBION after he finished strongly to get within a head of KESAMPOUR in last month's Group 2 Prix Greffulhe, and feels sure he will appreciate the 2100 meters distance. Fourth in that race SAONOIS – beaten under a length – is a colt who will appreciate better ground conditions that he has encountered so far, and is a likely long-shot.
Fabre's other contender SAINT BAUDOLINO has already had four races this season, his latest when getting up on the line to defeat SOFAST over 1800 meters at Chantilly over three weeks ago. He and KESAMPOUR – unbeaten in four races – but all at Saint Cloud, will be rated the biggest dangers to the favourite from the French challengers.
No Group 1 race goes by without top European trainer Aidan O'Brien having a host of challengers. O'Brien however has a dismal record in the Prix du Jockey Club, having saddled 19 runners since 2001 and only having one placed horse to show for his efforts. IMPERIAL MONARCH – rerouted from the Epsom Derby – is probably his best hope having won the Group 3 Classic Trial over 2000 meters at Sandown in impressive fashion, despite not liking the heavy conditions.
The English challengers include EKTIHAAM – runner-up to BONFIRE in the Group 2 Dante Stakes over 2100 meters at York last month - MOST IMPROVED, the subject of a monster gamble after glowing track work at his home base in Manton for the 2000 Guineas but then picking up an injury before the race, and John Gosden's GREGORIAN – a winner of a handicap on his seasonal reappearance at Newbury, before finishing a dashing fifth in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) over 1600 meters.
Selections: FRENCH FIFTEEN , ALBION, GREGORIAN & SAONOIS
Disclaimer:
The above content and information are the personal views and/or opinions of each individual writer and do not represent the views of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its subsidiaries (together, the "HKJC"). The content and information are provided by the writers solely for entertainment purpose only, and should not be construed as a suggestion for anyone to place any bet nor should they be taken and/or relied upon as advice of any kind. The above content and information have not been verified, confirmed and/or endorsed by HKJC and HKJC shall not be liable to any person for any loss or damage suffered by such person as a result of any use or reliance of the above content or information.
HKJC shall not be required to give and does not give any warranty, whether express or implied, arising out of or in connection with the content or information. The Club disclaims any responsibility and accepts no liability (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for any direct or indirect loss of damage arising from any inaccuracies, omission or typographical errors that may be contained therein. The Club also does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or fitness for purpose of any such information.
