 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 Prix Rothschild Day (S1) (Bill Esdaile)
S1-1 Prix de Cabourg
The G3 Prix de Cabourg over 1,200m is regularly targeted by British runners and this year is no exception.
Tom Dascombe is sending SAM MAXIMUS, who created a bit of a shock when he came within less than half a length of winning the G2 July Stakes over 1,200m at Newmarket (July Course). A photo finish was called and after his third place was confirmed it is no wonder that his handler is keen for him to have another crack at Group level.
Two years ago, this race produced the Andre Fabre-trained EARTHLIGHT, who went on to win two G1 races before the end of that season. This year, the Chantilly-based handler is counting on TRIDENT to deliver the goods after he made a big impression when winning on his debut in a 1,300m race at ParisLongchamp. Sporting the famous colours of Derrick Smith, he looked very professional when he found himself in the lead in the early stages and didn’t mind dropping back before making his challenge in the final 200m. A good looking individual, he needed little encouragement to stretch and is bound to have improved from that first experience on a racecourse.
DIZZY BIZU is one of the fillies in the race who is hoping to add more black type to her name. Trained by Stephane Wattel at Deauville, she won a Listed event over 1,000m at the beginning of June against the colts before a quick turnaround saw her run in a G3, which evidently came a bit too soon for her. She was well beaten that day but her trainer will be hoping that the break she has enjoyed since will see her once more competitive.
Another interesting filly in this field is the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained SUNDAY BEST, who had her ears pricked when she won a fillies only race over 1,200m at Deauville on her second start. She had obviously learnt a lot from her debut and this time round her jockey Olivier Peslier never had to get to work on her.
TOIMY SON was a very easy winner on his last start over the same course and distance. Trained by Yann Barberot, he is stepping up in class but his experience and genuine nature should work in his favour.
SELECTIONS: 3. SAM MAXIMUS, 5. TRIDENT, 1. TOIMY SON, 7. SUNDAY BEST & 9. DIZZY BIZU
S1-2 Class 2 Handicap
Trained by Mauricio Delcher-Sanchez, the 5YO SIMPLY STRIKING has produced consistent performances over the 1,300m and always runs well on the polytrack. He likes to wait and come from behind and while he hasn’t won a race yet this season, he is similarly handicapped to last year and should be able to score a double.
Coming off the same handicap mark as SIMPLY STRIKING is TIBASTI who spent the winter in Dubai, where he failed to take a place. His recent run on the straight course at Chantilly was inconclusive, but meant that he was dropped by the handicapper which gives him a chance to get back onto the podium at Deauville where he always does well.
As with every handicap, the weight is all important and SHOAL OF TIME who used to sport the famous blue silks of Godolphin when he was trained by Andre Fabre, has struggled since he won a 1,600m handicap on the polytrack at Chantilly on his first start for his new trainers Pia & Joakim Brandt. However, he should do well here over this shorter trip, as he has a lot of speed.
While TIBASTI had a busy winter, this was not the case of SHERE CALM who only made his seasonal reappearance four weeks ago in a 1,300m conditions race at Saint-Cloud. He was runner-up that day, which after a seven-month break was a very good performance. He might be 8YO but should once more be competitive.
SPRING STREET is the only filly in this race and must make the most of her weight advantage. She is locally trained by Stephane Wattel, who has given many of his inmates some time off so that they are at the top of their game for the Deauville meeting. SPRING STREET won a handicap off a higher mark over the same course and distance in December and was then given time off until 11th July when she made a satisfying return to the competition in a 1,200m handicap. It should have set her up nicely for this task.
SELECTIONS: 1. SIMPLY STRIKING, 3. TIBASTI, 7. SHERE CALM, 6. SHOAL OF TIME & 14. SPRING STREET
1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-2:
Banker – 1. SIMPLY STRIKING
Selections – 3. TIBASTI, 7. SHERE CALM, 6. SHOAL OF TIME & 14. SPRING STREET
S1-3:
Banker – 3. ZELLIE
Selections – 4. DANEH, 8. HELLOMYDARLIN, 5. MISS CLEOPATRA & 2. SOUMERA
S1-3 Prix Six Perfections
First run in 2010, the 1,400m G3 Prix Six Perfections has been won more times by overseas trainers than it has been by French ones.
Although DANEH only had one career start, she looks very exciting for the Simon & Ed Crisford. Sent off a warm favourite for a Kempton novice event over 1,400m, she cruised into contention and won the race in a matter of strides. The near four and a half lengths success was impressive and given the second has won subsequently, the form has a solid look to it too.
George Boughey is double handed in the race with OSCULA and HELLOMYDARLIN, with the latter preferred. The daughter of GALILEO GOLD is pretty experienced for her age having already had four career starts and was last seen finishing third in the G2 Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly over 1,200m. That race was won by ATOMIC FORCE – one of the top-rated 2YOs in Europe – so it was a fine effort to get as close to him as she did. She’s bred to get further so this step up to 1,400m should suit and she’s a contender back against her own sex.
Andre Fabre has won this race for the last two years, and he saddles the unbeaten ZELLIE, who spearheads the home challenge. The daughter of WOOTTON BASSETT is three-from-three in her career so far, with the most recent of those victories coming in a Listed race over course and distance. She won impressively by three lengths that day and there looks plenty more to come now upped in grade.
Chasing her home that day was MISS CLEOPATRA who ran a fine race despite losing her unbeaten record. Prior to that run the daughter of TORONADO had won a 1,000m conditions race at Bordeaux-Le-Bouscat, so we know she has plenty of speed. You couldn’t say she didn’t stay 1,400m last time and Philippe Sogorb will be hoping she can finish in the money again.
Christophe Soumillon needs no introduction to Hong Kong punters and he is on the Aga Khan’s SOUMERA here for Mikel Delzangles. Having made a respectable debut over 1,300m at ParisLongchamp in June, the filly won a 1,400m conditions race at Chantilly impressively by three lengths last time. If she can improve again for that run, she can certainly give the others some problems.
SELECTIONS: 3. ZELLIE, 4. DANEH, 8. HELLOMYDARLIN, 5. MISS CLEOPATRA & 2. SOUMERA
S1-4 Prix Rothschild
This season, MOTHER EARTH has been running at the top level since winning the G1 1000 Guineas over 1,600m in May and has not finished out of the frame in three subsequent G1s.
MOTHER EARTH handled heavy conditions at Ascot, when third in the G1 Coronation Stakes over 1,594m and then proved her versatility on quick ground in the G1 Falmouth Stakes over 1,600m at Newmarket (July Course).
The Falmouth Stakes is a race that has produced the winner of this contest in three of the last ten years. It again looks a strong form line, as two runners from that race registered G1 success at Goodwood last week. Aidan O’Brien’s filly MOTHER EARTH had a fairly comfortable run through, but it was a race where there were a few hard luck stories behind.
PRIMO BACIO was slowly away and got trapped behind rivals against the rail after two groups converged on the far side of the track. She only managed to get clear running room inside the final 200m, and while she quickened up smartly towards the finish there was too much to do. If getting the splits this time, PRIMO BACIO should have every chance of turning form around with MOTHER EARTH. Soft ground would be a negative for her chances, however.
The French form is best judged around COEURSAMBA who flopped in the G1 Prix de Diane over 2,100m last time out, but prior to that she had beaten MOTHER EARTH over 1,600m in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp. Her trainer, Jean-Claude Rouget, has made public that he thinks she is a filly better suited to a 1,600m trip. She showed a swift turn of foot when winning at the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches could be dangerous now dropping back in trip.
There was not much between TAHLIE and COEURSAMBA when they met on their respective seasonal debuts in April. TAHLIE came out on top that day, but she may have had a better passage through the race. She has since won her next two starts, the latest a G2 at Chantilly over 1,600m. Pascal Bary’s filly is clearly on the up and should remain competitive here.
NOVEMBA emerged from the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot with plenty of credit after making the running and only tiring deep inside the final 200m. Given that was run in a good time on the ground, her effort can be upgraded.
SELECTIONS: 8. MOTHER EARTH, 12. PRIMO BACIO, 13. COEURSAMBA, 9. NOVEMBA & 14. TAHLIE
S1-5 Prix de Psyche
MYSTERY ANGEL has run well in some of Britain’s hottest races this season and she should appreciate the drop in grade in this G3 prize over 2,000m at Deauville.
George Boughey’s filly was unconsidered in the betting for the G1 Oaks Stakes over 2,405m at Epsom in June but she was clear second best when runner-up behind impressive winner SNOWFALL. She looked in need of the return to 2,000m when fading into fourth having made the running in the G2 Lancashire Oaks over 2,359m at Haydock last month and she could easily be granted her own way in front over this shorter distance.
HARAJUKU was undone by an unhelpful wide draw in the G1 Prix de Diane over 2,100m in June. She pulled a bit too hard in the early stages but threw down a strong challenge before her exertions told in the final 100m when fading into sixth to be beaten just a length and a half. The form of that fillies Classic might not be terribly strong but HARAJUKU is capable of a lot better. Andre Fabre’s filly has shown her best form on decent ground so she could do with it drying out.
PENJA disappointed when favourite for the G1 Prix Saint-Alary over 2,000m at ParisLongchamp in May but Jean-Claude Rouget’s runner bounced back when returned to calmer waters over 1,800m at Chantilly. The way she won that conditions contest suggests she is well worth a try at this level.
Irish raider THE BLUE BRILLIANT has been progressing nicely. She easily won a 2,000m Fairyhouse maiden in May and, while the form isn’t strong, she came right away in the final 200m on soft ground. The way she landed a decent 2,232m Killarney contest on her handicap debut was very pleasing. She deserves a chance to prove she’s up to this G3 level but the slight drop in distance is a concern as Mrs John Harrington’s filly shapes like a strong stayer.
LIGHT OF DARKNESS is one of the Turkey’s star fillies. She won a prestigious race over 1,600m in May at Istanbul and she bounced back from her first defeat in five races when successful at the same track in June. It’s hard to know how the form compares to French racing so she is very much an unknown quantity.
SELECTIONS: 6. MYSTERY ANGEL, 1. HARAJUKU, 8. PENJA, 5. THE BLUE BRILLIANT & 7. LIGHT OF DARKNESS
2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-5:
Banker – 6. MYSTERY ANGEL
Selections – 1. HARAJUKU, 8. PENJA, 5. THE BLUE BRILLIANT & 7. LIGHT OF DARKNESS
S1-6:
Banker – 2. STAG HORN
Selections – 7. KARLSTAD, 3. BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, 8. NAGANO GOLD & 9. NAO DA MAIS
S1-6 Prix du Carrousel
English trainer Archie Watson is a big fan of French racing, especially Deauville.
This time, he is sending over STAG HORN, who won three handicaps on the trot last season before being gelded. He has been stepped up in class and trip on his last two starts this season and should appreciate the drop back to 3,000m. He prefers soft ground and will need to set a good pace if he doesn’t want to get caught by the French opposition, which is likely to turn the final stages of the race into a sprint.
Pia and Joakim Brandt have a lot of experience with stayers and are hoping that the very consistent handicapper KARLSTAD can take this step up to Listed company in his stride after he was the runner-up in a similar race at Chantilly on his last start. He is the only runner in this field who has shown consistent performances over this trip.
The locally trained BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN is also hoping for a first success at Listed level. He hasn’t been out of the first three in his last seven starts and finished third in a very competitive G2 over 3,200m at Hoppegarten in Germany. He is versatile in terms of ground and his trainer Yann Barberot is currently in great form.
The horse with the highest credentials in this field is NAGANO GOLD who is G1 placed and wasn’t beaten far by G1 Gold Cup winner STRADIVARIUS when they met in a 2,400m G2 at Longchamp last year. This season, he has been nowhere near as competitive at this level, finishing way down the field on his last start in a 2,400m G1 at Saint-Cloud. This will be his first attempt at 3,000m and if he retains any of his former class, he could spring a surprise.
NAO DA MAIS started his career in the Southern Hemisphere and won four G1 races in Brazil before he was shipped to France to join the yard of David Smaga. It took him only one race to acclimatize to his new environment and he has already won two races this season, including one over 3,000m. His attempts at Listed level haven’t worked out so far but he was beaten only a length and a quarter by KARLSTAD last time out and could improve on that run.
SELECTIONS: 2. STAG HORN, 7. KARLSTAD, 3. BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN, 8. NAGANO GOLD & 5. NAO DA MAIS
TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-6:
Multiple – 2. STAG HORN, 7. KARLSTAD & 3. BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
S1-7:
Multiple – 2. LINING UP, 1. PINK CITY & 3. PERFECT COLOUR
S1-8:
Multiple – 8. BOCCIATORE, 4. LOUVE DREAM & 13. ART PREMIER
S1-7 2yo Handicap
LINING UP should appreciate racing over 1,200m for the first time in this handicap for 2YOs.
She ran really well when placed behind some smart juveniles over 1,000m at Chantilly and ParisLongchamp on her first two starts. The pace was a bit hot for her and she was always struggling to keep up when staying on into fifth behind British raider CHOUX in a 1,000m Listed race at Deauville last month. This step up in distance is just what she wants so she looks the one to beat.
PINK CITY bolted up from JAZZY WOOD in a ParisLongchamp maiden over 1,000m in June. There’s no doubt she had the run of that race but the way she came clear in the closing stages was still impressive. She has been found out in stronger races since but she did look ready for 1,200m when sixth – just behind LINING UP - in the 1,000m Listed race won by CHOUX at Deauville last month. This lesser grade should be much more to her liking.
PERFECT COLOUR sat closer to the pace than ideal when third in a 1,600m maiden at Saint-Malo two weeks ago. She didn’t quite see the distance out and the tight track probably didn’t play to her strengths, either. Her previous Chantilly effort over 1,200m on soft ground when third behind smart prospects WAGGAD and DIEPPE gives her a chance. If she gets a nice position, she will be involved in the finish.
JAZZY WOOD has had plenty of experience and is holding his form well. He beat subsequent Listed-race runner-up MAROON SIX over 1,000m at ParisLongchamp in May but he was no match for PINK CITY the following month when racing further away from the rail than the winner. His solid second behind BLUE DREAM with JANUARY MOON back in third when returned to ParisLongchamp over 1,000m on his handicap debut was a decent effort and he has shown he stays 1,200m.
A strong late burst saw MATCH PLAY edge out JANUARY MOON over 1,100m at Dieppe in June. He was thrown into the deep end for a hot little 1,200m race at Deauville last month so it was no surprise he could make little impact. This drop in grade should be much more suitable.
SELECTIONS: 2. LINING UP, 1. PINK CITY, 3. PERFECT COLOUR, 7. JAZZY WOOD & 5. MATCH PLAY
S1-8 Class 3 Handicap
Not many fillies have been entered in this contest over 1,300m on the polytrack at Deauville, but HAVANA BOUND relishes the surface and after producing some eye-catching performances this winter on the polytrack at Chantilly, she should not be underestimated in this second division. Her comeback on the straight course over 1,200m at Deauville lacked her usual punch, but well placed in the weights, it would not be a surprise if she runs into the first five.
Another contender who is bound to be involved in the finish and who must be the horse to beat is BOCCIATORE who has already run nine times this season and has never been out of the first three. Trained by Nicolas Caullery, he has won two similar handicaps over this trip earlier on in the season. Obviously he is lacking freshness but this handicap certainly suits his profile.
Christophe Soumillon has been booked to ride ART PREMIER and that is a strong indication that the 5YO son of DUTCH ART is ready to win his first handicap. Formerly trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, he is now in the care of Fabrice Vermeulen who is known to successfully target the many handicaps during the Deauville summer meeting. Third on his last start in a handicap over a slightly shorter trip of 1,200m, he seems in good form.
LOUVE DREAM, on the other hand, has been completely out of form on his last four starts in handicap company. It has to be said that he needs good ground to express himself and wasn’t treated kindly by the handicapper after winning his maiden on this track, but he has now come down in his handicap mark and could spring a surprise.
At the age of nine, JOYFUL TRINITY does not have a lot to prove anymore and after many years in Hong Kong, where he won a G3 and was G1 placed, he has returned to France where he is now trained by Sebastien Jesus. He hasn’t been running anywhere near his best this season, but this handicap could change his bad run as he has been dropped in weight and trip and hence should not be abandoned.
SELECTIONS: 8. BOCCIATORE, 4. LOUVE DREAM, 13. ART PREMIER, 15. HAVANA BOUND & 7. JOYFUL TRINITY
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