 Expert - Bill Esdaile | |
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| Bill Esdaile has worked in racing journalism in the United Kingdom for over 20 years. He began his working career at the Sporting Life back in 1995, and has since worked for the Racing Post, The Sportsman, and is currently racing editor of London-based City AM. He is a keen form student, and will bring a unique insight into the major European races. | |
Expert Column for Poule d'Essai des Poulains Day (S2) (Bill Esdaile)
S2-1 Class 2 Allowance
It looks a small yet competitive race to kick things off on Poule d’Essai des Poulains day with this 1,000m allowance event up the straight turf course. Normally this meeting would be taking place at ParisLongchamp but, with racing in coronavirus ‘red zones’ like Paris currently blocked, the show moves to Deauville.
One horse who won’t mind that is KENBAIO who has been placed five of the six times he has raced at the Normandy track. Pascal Bary’s 4YO beat WIND TEST over 1,200m here last July, before finishing third over the same course and distance to the Kevin Ryan-trained GLASS SLIPPERS in a Listed race shortly afterwards. That form was well and truly franked by the English runner who followed up in a 1,000m G3 at ParisLongchamp in September, before running away with the 1,000m G1 Prix de L'Abbaye de Longchamp the following month. Admittedly, KENBAIO’s form went downhill in two efforts after that, but a return to the run behind GLASS SLIPPERS would see him go very close. That said, he has to prove he has the speed for this minimum trip as most of his runs have been over 1,200m or further.
The same is true of WIND TEST, who hasn’t raced over 1,000m for two years, but he did perform well to be a close second in a 1,300m conditions race at Chantilly back in March. He disappointed in a 1,200m handicap at the same track a few weeks ago and will need to improve if he is to get in the places here.
FORZA CAPITANO had some decent form last season including a short-head defeat to SHADES OF BLUE in a Listed contest over 1,000m at Maisons-Laffitte. SHADES OF BLUE went down by the narrowest of margins to GLASS SLIPPERS in a 1,000m G3 at ParisLongchamp, so that is strong form. Henri-Alex Pantall’s 5YO has enough speed for the minimum distance and even though his last three efforts haven’t been his best, they were all at G3 level. This is a drop in class and he also receives weight from KENBAIO, SIMPLY STRIKING and WAYATOS which could swing things in his favour.
SIMPLY STRIKING, who has finished in the first three in nine of his 15 career starts, is one of the most consistent in the line-up and has to be respected. He started his career two years ago with back-to-back wins over 1,100m at Maisons-Laffitte before finding G1 and G2 level a little too much. Stepped up as far as 1,600m in the early part of last season, he ended the year with three decent placed efforts over 1,300m on the polytrack. He makes his seasonal reappearance here and the main worry is whether he still has enough speed for the minimum trip.
WAYATOS didn’t run terribly to be a close fifth in a 1,000m Listed race at Milan in October, but is very inexperienced for a race like this.
With just four wins from 29 career starts, LEONIO clearly doesn’t find winning that easy, and this trip looks too short for him.
The most experienced runner of the field is the 6YO BAKOEL KOFFIE who had some good form towards the start of last season. He finished second to FORZA CAPITANO in a 1,300m conditions race at Chantilly before winning a Listed race over 1,100m at Fontainebleau. On his best form he would have a chance of sneaking into the money.
SELECTIONS: 6. FORZA CAPITANO, 1. KENBAIO, 2. SIMPLY STRIKING & 7. BAKOEL KOFFIE
S2-2 Class 3 Handicap
In what is a typically competitive polytrack handicap, nobody has been performing better on this surface in 2020 than top weight LETTYT FIGHT. He has won twice, at Chantilly over 1,900m and Pornichet over 2,100m, and then lost nothing in defeat when finishing third in a blanket finish back at Pornichet over 2,100m in March. Provided he is fit enough after a break, LETTYT FIGHT will again be hard to keep out of the frame.
Another with a solid chance is FOREVER COCO, who is versatile in that she is equally effective on grass or the polytrack. She is an improving filly and ran her best race yet when beaten only a head by the gambled on EVERSWEET at Vichy over 1,600m on 22nd May. FOREVER COCO stays this longer trip and was not disgraced when dipping her toes into Class 2 waters at Saint Cloud over 1,600m last November. That Vichy race came after a break of more than three months, so she will be sharper for the return.
THE NILE SONG is another who has yet to fulfil her potential, but she has been running over 1,400m. This will be her first start on the polytrack and she steps up in trip, but both of these factors will need to bring about improvement as she’s been well-beaten on a number of occasions in her career so far.
ABBELLO presumably works better at home on the gallops than he has so far shown on the racecourse, as he has twice started favourite here at Deauville in just four runs. He did run well first time out on this track, finishing second over 1,900m on this surface. He disappointed when market-leader last time over 2,000m, but that was on turf and reverting to the polytrack looks a positive move.
GARIGLIANO showed a degree of promise in two runs over 1,500m last summer, here and at Chantilly. He changed stables afterwards and his new trainer probably learned a lot from his first run for the yard on the turf at Chateaubriant over 1,950m last week.
LUANDA will be having her first start away from Chantilly, where on three starts so far, she’s finished down the field each time. Even though she has never featured, there have been definite signs of promise and she could be an interesting contender on her handicap debut.
THE ROOM was unlucky not to finish a bit closer when fourth on her handicap debut on her seasonal reappearance over 2,000m. This is probably a stronger race than that, but she should give another good account and she has the assistance of Maxime Guyon in the saddle.
Of the other supplementary entries, JUSSIFER showed improvement when third on turf at Chateaubriant over 1,950m recently and might be best of the rest, while SITUMELEDEMANDAIS was not beaten far when sixth of 11 last time. He’s tried a variety of distances and surfaces, including this 2,000m trip which he didn’t run badly over at Saint Cloud last November.
SELECTIONS: 2. FOREVER COCO, 1. LETTYT FIGHT, 3. ABBELLO, 10. JUSSIFER & 6. GARIGLIANO
1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S2-2: Banker – 2. FOREVER COCO
Selections – 1. LETTYT FIGHT, 3. ABBELLO, 10. JUSSIFER & 6. GARIGLIANO
S2-3: Banker – 6. MOREMI
Selections – 4. TAKEDOWN, 7. TROU AUX BICHES, 2. JUST FOR DREAM & 8. ADEHAINE
S2-3 Class 3 Handicap
This 1,900m handicap contains nine runners who have all be struggling for form recently. MOREMI, ridden by Alexis Badel who’s enjoyed great success riding in Hong Kong recently, sets the somewhat lowly standard, as he’s the only runner with a win to his name. After a promising debut at La Teste de Buch over 1,600m last August, the chestnut son of KHELEYF broke his maiden at the fourth time of asking at Le Mans over 1,400m. He then struggled to get involved off a stiff handicap mark during the autumn and returned in a fairly hot contest at Deauville over 2,000m on his seasonal reappearance. That run was a bit disappointing, although he’s expected to be fitter for that effort and this looks an altogether much easier contest. The trip of 1,900m looks ideal for a horse who has shown glimpses of both speed and stamina and he looks the one to beat.
Of the other pieces of form to note, JUST FOR DREAM is expected to start finding his level in handicap company having run in four maidens over the winter. As a son of CAMELOT, JUST FOR DREAM is expected to show much more as a 3YO than he did at two, so can’t be discounted. However, it’s likely that the Nicolas Caullery-trained runner will be seen to full effect at 2,000m or 2,400m later this year.
ZAWAT tops the weights and steps out of Class 2 company for the first time. The step down in grade will obviously help but he finished a clear last in that effort over 1,600m last time and needs to show more.
The eye is drawn to Maxime Guyon’s mount, TAKEDOWN, who was last seen finishing fifth over 2,000m at Salon-de-Provence. Previous to that he was third over 2,150m at Lyon - La Soie in a competitive race on the all-weather and he’s shown enough to warrant respect. Guyon has kicked off his 2020 in good form, with no less than six winners at Deauville already, and he should get the best out of TAKEDOWN.
TROU AUX BICHES has had plenty of chances to register a first win but is still struggling to find his level. A recent run over 2,000m at Marseille Pont De Vivaux, finishing sixth of nine, showed maybe a glimmer of hope, while seven of his eight other previous efforts have all come over inadequately short trips. He’s one that could sneak into the money, as is ADEHAINE, who deserves another chance at this trip. Over 2,000m at Marseille Pont De Vivaux three starts back he finished four lengths off the leader in fourth, while he was clearly lacking for speed over 1,600m at Angers the last time out. Not one for win purposes, but ADEHAINE could take home some prize money.
SELECTIONS: 6. MOREMI, 4. TAKEDOWN, 7. TROU AUX BICHES, 2. JUST FOR DREAM & 8. ADEHAINE
S2-4 Grand Handicap des Milers
ALFIERI will be looking to extend his winning streak to four in this competitive 1,600m handicap. His rich vein of form has seen him notch wins at Chantilly (1,600m), Marseille Pont De Vivaux (1,500m) and ParisLongchamp (1,600m). The way he mowed down clear leader ZALAMEA at ParisLongchamp last time suggests he will put up another big show despite climbing the weights. He should get the strong pace he likes but he has been beaten seven times at Deauville since recording his sole course win nearly three years ago.
MON AMI L’ECOSSAIS has a better track record but that is a little misleading. His three wins from five visits all came on the all-weather surface and he was behind ALFIERI when sixth at ParisLongchamp last time out.
ROCQUEMONT might have been at a disadvantage racing more towards the middle of the track down the home straight when narrowly unable to claw back CASHBAG over 1,600m at Marseille Borely two weeks ago. He’s got an incredibly-consistent profile. Last season he won twice over shorter distances at Deauville before finishing runner-up in Listed races over 2,000m and 1,800m. A switch to the all-weather surface at Cagnes-Sur-Mer did not stop his progress when he again hit the frame in a Listed contest having been successful over 1,600m.
CARLTON CHOICE was third behind ROCQUEMONT in January and he again had a rear view of his rival when fifth of eight in a Listed race at the same track. His fourth in a 1,500m Listed race on Deauville’s all-weather course exposed his limitations and he will need to put in an improved effort if he is to reverse the form with ROCQUEMONT.
WE RIDE THE WORLD was fourth in that same Listed prize having lacked the pace to land a blow from the rear. He had earlier won over 1,500m on Cagnes-Sur-Mer’s turf course and arrives here having lost out by just a neck to ALFIERI in March. WE RIDE THE WORLD looks to have improved since switching to trainer Cedric Rossi in January and the straight 1,600m should play to his strengths.
TANTPISPOUREUX was successful on his last two runs in handicaps. The second of those came a year ago and he went on to finish second in a Listed prize at Saint Cloud over 1,600m. His third behind smart Godolphin prospect HALF LIGHT over 1,600m at Vichy last week was a promising start to the season which should have put a sharp edge on him.
DATHANNA looked destined for great things when trained in England by Charlie Appleby a few years ago. The Godolphin 5YO came good for new trainer Henri-Alex Pantall at Clairefontaine over 1,600m on heavy ground in October and she went close to following up the following month when runner-up in a Saint Cloud Listed race. She checked out tamely on her return to action over 1,400m at ParisLongchamp but she is better over this longer distance.
ARISE ended last season on a low note at Chantilly over 1,600m but that was a rare poor run as he was most consistent during the rest of the year. He moved smoothly for much of the race and delivered as much as he promised when winning over 1,600m at Saint Cloud on his comeback three weeks ago. That was the performance of an improved horse and there could easily be plenty more to come.
SELECTIONS: 6. TANTPISPOUREUX, 12. ARISE, 3. WE RIDE THE WORLD, 1. ROCQUEMONT & 4. ALFIERI
S2-5 Poule d'Essai des Poulains
The first place one has to start when analysing a French classic is with the legendary Chantilly trainer Andre Fabre. He has been champion trainer in his homeland no fewer than 24 times and has won this race on seven occasions. He has three representatives this year, including favourite VICTOR LUDORUM. Unbeaten in three races as a 2YO, culminating with the 1,600m G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp on Arc day, VICTOR LUDORUM suffered a surprise defeat when finishing only third behind THE SUMMIT and ECRIVAIN on his seasonal debut at the same track over1,600m three weeks ago. VICTOR LUDORUM was keen early on and his jockey could never get any cover, but Fabre has always suspected that the horse might want stepping up in trip, and on this much drier surface he is worth taking on as he lengthens rather than quickens. However, Fabre, whose team have been in brilliant form, is hopeful that the prep-race will have taken the freshness out of VICTOR LUDORUM, though some in his stable think ALSON might even be the best of their trio.
ALSON, trained in Germany last season, won four of his six races, signing off with an all-the-way victory in the 1,400m G1 Criterium International in testing ground at ParisLongchamp. ALSON, who was afterwards transferred to Fabre’s yard, had been beaten by VICTOR LUDORUM over the 1,600m on the same course three weeks earlier.
One would also worry that ALSON could have competition up front from THE SUMMIT, who relished getting a soft lead when overturning the favourite in the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau over1,600m. Arc winning jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot called the shots on THE SUMMIT throughout that race and effectively stole the prize when increasing the pace half-way up the straight. He might now find himself being hassled from the start, which would make things tougher.
It is 48 years since RIVERMAN gave the Wertheimer family the first of five successes in this race, and they again look to have solid chances with ECRIVAIN, who collared VICTOR LUDORUM in the shadow of the post to snatch second place in the aforementioned 1,600m G1. ECRIVAIN won twice over this 1,600m last season, including one over this course. He was only fourth in the 1,600m G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere but looked unsuited by the heavy ground that day. You had to be impressed with the finishing kick ECRIVAIN showed against THE SUMMIT, especially as he was hemmed in a pocket back in fifth place 300m from home. By the time he escaped the winner had flown. If the pace of the race is run to suit ECRIVAIN, he may emulate his sire, LOPE DE VEGA, victorious in this race in 2010.
Fabre’s other runner is ARAPAHO, whose Coolmore owners have also won the race five times. He has only been beaten once in four races, but, though he is improving and dug deep to justify favouritism in a Listed race at ParisLongchamp over 1,400m last month, this is a jump up in class.
SELECTIONS: 9. ECRIVAIN, 5. VICTOR LUDORUM, 2. THE SUMMIT, 1. ALSON & 6. KENWAY
2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S2-5: Banker – 9. ECRIVAIN
Selections – 5. VICTOR LUDORUM, 2. THE SUMMIT, 1. ALSON & 6. KENWAY
S2-6: Banker – 1. SIMEEN
Selections – 2. TROPBEAU, 7. DREAM AND DO, 10. SPEAK OF THE DEVIL & 4. MARIETA
TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S2-5: Multiple – 9. ECRIVAIN, 5. VICTOR LUDORUM & 2. THE SUMMIT
S2-6: Multiple – 1. SIMEEN, 2. TROPBEAU & 7. DREAM AND DO
S2-7: Multiple – 3. VIENNE, 6. SALESMAN & 4. EPISODIA
S2-6 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches
SIMEEN will attempt to give trainer Jean-Claude Rouget his fifth win in this 1,600m G1 event for fillies in the last 11 years. The unbeaten filly, owned by the Aga Khan, showed a smart change of pace to make a successful return in a conditions race at Chantilly nearly three weeks ago. The winning distance in that defeat of GOLDEN CROWN over 1,600m was just a short neck but it was merely down to jockey Christophe Soumillon’s precision timing. It was a smooth victory to add to last season’s two wins and, while SIMEEN needs to take another step forward to land this fillies’ Classic, she has both huge potential and a smart turn of foot.
TROPBEAU also made a winning return to action for Andre Fabre. She landed a ParisLongchamp G3 over 1,600m with a nice performance to defeat DREAM AND DO by half a length, with another head back to her stablemate TICKLE ME GREEN in third. Her stamina came to the fore in the closing stages on the very soft ground. She had shown her liking for testing conditions last season when winning group races over 1,400m on Deauville’s straight and round courses, before finishing a slightly unlucky third in the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes over 1,200m at Newmarket.
DREAM AND DO has a chance of turning the tables with the run under her belt, though. She hit the front 300m from home and was only run out of it in the closing stages. The way she made rapid strides last season, winning three times on ground ranging from good to firm to heavy, suggests she should do well this year.
TICKLE ME GREEN should also improve for her close third behind TROPBEAU and DREAM AND DO at ParisLongchamp. She was trained in Germany last season when she was placed third and fourth in two G3 races having made a winning debut. The switch to Fabre makes her interesting but she is likely to come into her own over longer distances.
MARIETA was brushed aside by TROPBEAU in a G2 over 1,400m at Deauville last August. She was way too keen when surprisingly held up last of the four runners and has shown her best form when allowed to make the running. The pick of her efforts was clearly her second behind Irish raider ALBIGNA in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac over 1,600m at ParisLongchamp on Arc day. If allowed to make the running, she would have to be a player.
The presence of EMOJI won’t help her in that regard. Francis-Henri Graffard’s filly made most of the running when successful on her only start last season and she again set the pace when second behind MAGIC ATTITUDE in a ParisLongchamp G3 over 1,800m.
SPEAK OF THE DEVIL was poorly positioned in rear when the race got going at ParisLongchamp on her return to action over 1,600m nearly three weeks ago. She had little chance of catching SHINNING OCEAN as she found a stack of trouble down the straight as well. There was a lot to like about her debut success at Deauville over 1,600m on heavy ground last October and she has claims if granted better luck than her most recent start.
SELECTIONS: 1. SIMEEN, 2. TROPBEAU, 7. DREAM AND DO, 10. SPEAK OF THE DEVIL & 4. MARIETA
S2-7 Class 2 Allowance
Trainer Andre Fabre’s horses have been in great form recently and he’ll hopeful of continuing the purple patch with SALESMAN in this 2,000m Class 2 event. One of the progeny of the great DUBAWI, SALESMAN has been well-fancied on all four career starts, but hasn’t been able to get his head in front so far. He was last seen when finishing a close-third at Lyon Parilly over 2,200m, but given he finished over four lengths ahead of the fourth-placed horse, it wasn’t too bad a run. Fabre’s colt is becoming expensive to follow, though, and will need to improve to record his maiden victory here.
Another trainer in good form is Jean-Claude Rouget and he saddles one of the more experienced runners in the field, the filly VIENNE. Rouget’s representative was a good three-length winner of a Compiegne maiden last year over 1,800m having won well in her three runs prior. That victory saw her go off a short-price for her seasonal reappearance, but she had to settle for second at Saint Cloud over 2,100m. She might have bumped into a potentially classy rival there, though, and a repeat performance would see her go close here. She’s only failed to finish out of the placings once in five career starts and should give another good account.
KOSKOV did manage to win a minor event over 1,800m last October, but struggled in better company on his 2020 return and will need to improve to feature.
DAWN INTELLO was sent off a short price and justified those odds when taking an all-weather maiden at Deauville over 1,900m last November. He finished an encouraging third at Saint Cloud on his seasonal bow over 2,100m and could build on that here.
EPISODIA could be an interesting contender here having been very impressive on her debut over 2,200m at Fontainebleau. She was a good three-length winner that day and although she found things beyond her in Listed company at Toulouse over 2,100m on her next outing, she looked to struggle on the heavy ground that day. There should be more to come from Henri-Alex Pantall’s contender and she is definitely worth a second look in this easier contest.
HELLENISTIQUE capped of his 2YO campaign with two wins over 1,800m and 2,000m, including a five-length victory over KOSKOV at Angers. The son of WOOTTON BASSETT is one of the more seasoned runners in the line-up having run five times already in his career and although he won’t lack for experience, he might find one or two improving types too good here.
SELECTIONS: 3. VIENNE, 6. SALESMAN, 4. EPISODIA & 2. HELLENISTIQUE
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