Poule d'Essai des Poulains S1 - 4, 13/05/2018, Sunday Post Time 22:15
Olmedo |
Confirmed himself a high-class colt when runner-up in a G1 over 1600m at Chantilly on his final two-year-old start. Has clearly developed into a potent three-old, pushing Wootton hard up the straight in a G3 over this distance here last month. He relaxes off the speed. |
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Dice Roll |
The winner of three of his four two-year-old starts, at up to this distance. Made an excellent start to his three-year-old career when winning a G3 on heavy ground over the straight 1400m at Deauville, always near the front and accelerating impressively for an easy win. |
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Hey Gaman |
Three times a winner at two and only caught close home in a Doncaster G2 (1405m) last September. Led again in a 1400m Newbury G3 on his return and battled hard to the wire only beaten 3/4L in third. However the form of that race was not enhanced in last Saturday's 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. |
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US Navy Flag |
A tough and talented two-year-old campaigner who bagged two G1 prizes at Newmarket over 1200m and 1400m. He was 15L last of four in a Listed event (1400m) at Leopardstown on his return, never looking happy on the heavy ground. Clearly capable of much better. |
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Infernal Majesty |
Progressive at two, winning his last two starts including at this trip. Both those wins came on very slow ground so he should have done better on his 2018 return in a 1400m heavy ground Deauville G3. Instead he faded right out of contention in the closing stages. |
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Louis D'Or |
The winner of one of his eight starts and - this year - had some of today's expected rivals ahead of him when fifth in a Deauville G3 and third in a G3 over this course and distance. Still, that latest run behind Wootton - finishing well - was a clear career best. |
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Magic Bibou |
Has plenty of stamina and won over this distance on heavy ground on his 2018 debut at Bordeaux. Doing his best work at the finish he ran on into second of 12 – 5L behind winner Dice Roll - in a G3 over Deauville's straight 1400m last month. A fast pace will help him. |
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Wootton |
Looks a major contender - having won all his three starts, all at this distance. Most significantly he won the major trial for this here last month, leading almost from the start and then responding impressively when Olmedo threatened him throughout the straight. Versatile groundwise and tactically. |
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Il Primo Sole |
Ran to a consistent level on his three starts at two though a beaten favourite on his last two. Led from gate to wire on his 2018 return in a novices' event on the Kempton all-weather, winning very easily. A big step up here plus he looks to want faster ground than is expected. |
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Francesco Bere |
Proven at this distance, winning a 1600m Listed contest at Deauville last August - always prominent that day. Not good enough when last of six in a Chantilly G1 subsequently but at least did show his 2018 wellbeing when landing a Listed event at Fontainebleau in March. |
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Kings Shield |
Won his first two starts in good style after which this G1 was mentioned as a target. However this powerful-looking colt was a disappointing favourite in a Sandown handicap on slow ground over this distance last month, launching a strong challenge before fading at the end. |