Expert - Bill Esdaile
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 Prix du Jockey Club (S2-1) (Bill Esdaile)

S2-1 Prix du Jockey Club

Aidan O’Brien has a strong hand as he attempts to win the G1 Prix du Jockey Club for the first time. There aren’t many major European G1 races the Irish champion trainer has failed to win but both Chantilly Classics, the Prix du Jockey Club and the Prix de Diane, still eludes one of the world’s most powerful stables.

ST MARK’S BASILICA gave O’Brien his fifth win in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains over 1,600m with a smooth performance at ParisLongchamp three weeks ago. He was one of the top juveniles of last season having signed off for the year with a defeat of stablemate WEMBLEY in the G1 Dewhurst Stakes over 1,400m at Newmarket in October. The style of his victories suggests the step up to 2,100m should not be a problem and he sets a high standard.

O’Brien also runs VAN GOGH, who was never involved when finishing eighth in 14 runners in the 2000 Guineas Stakes over 1,600m at Newmarket, but he ran better when third on much softer ground in the Irish 2000 Guineas over 1,600m two weeks ago. Testing conditions seem important to him.

John Gosden won this race with MISHRIFF last year and his MEGALLAN has progressed well this season. He stepped up on his Listed success over 1,605m on Newcastle’s tapeta track when runner-up behind HURRICANE LANE in the G2 Dante Stakes over 2,051m at York last month.

Gosden, who now has a joint training licence with his son Thady, also runs DERAB. This half-brother of dual G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner ENABLE could not have been more impressive when winning by six and a half lengths over 1,600m last month. That Newmarket contest was only a novice race but he looks a very smart prospect and the step up to 2,100m should suit.

MAKALOUN has only been beaten once in six races. He was badly bumped when an unlucky third in the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud over 2,000m last October. There was a lot to like about his return to action when too good for MILLEBOSC in the G3 Prix de Guiche over 1,800m at Chantilly last month. The extra 300m will be a big help and his trainer Jean-Claude Rouget has won this race three times in the last five years.

Stablemate SAIYDABAD has been progressing nicely, winning all three of his races and he took another step forward when successful in a 2,000m Listed prize at Chantilly last month. This is a much tougher race but he is still improving.

Rouget also runs CHESHIRE ACADEMY, who is also unbeaten in three races. He stepped up on his two fibresand wins over 2,000m at Pau when handed a ParisLongchamp G3 over 2,100m in April. His strong, late run just failed to take him past PRETTY TIGER but CHESHIRE ACADEMY was awarded the race on a disqualification.

EL DRAMA won the Listed Dee Stakes over 2,064m at Chester last month, but that form doesn’t look especially strong and this distance looks the limit of his stamina.

SELECTIONS: 3. MAKALOUN, 8. ST MARK’S BASILICA, 2. DERAB, 19. CHESHIRE ACADEMY & 6. MILLEBOSC

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