 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 Maurice de Gheest Day (S1) (Bill Esdaile)
S1-1 Prix du Cercle
There look to be plenty in with chances in the Listed Prix du Cercle over 1,000m.
The obvious place to start isLIVE IN THE DREAM who steps back in grade after a very good run in the G2 Temple Stakes over 1,000m at Haydock last time. That was a career best and followed another great showing in the G3 Palace House Stakes over 1,000m at Newmarket.LIVE IN THE DREAMfaces lesser talented rivals here and looks the one to beat.
ZUDU SPIRIThas been consistent this season. He was last seen finishing third in the Listed Prix Hampton over 1,000m, which looks solid enough form with the winner BOUTTEMONT running well in a G3 subsequently. This minimum trip looks best for him, and he should go well.
BATWANmight be an 8YO now but continues to run well, as shown by his second in the G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis over 1,200m last time. He bumped into a very progressive horse that day and was well-clear of the third, so is entitled to be competitive here. The drop back to 1,000m is a slight concern, though.
If TUDO BEMcould return to the form that saw him finish less than two lengths behind the winner in the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene over 1,000m, he’d have a real chance. He hasn’t run too badly on his previous two starts at Chantilly over 1,000m in the Prix Hampton behind ZUDU SPIRIT, and then ran third in a race over 1,200m. Mathieu Boutin’s charge certainly has the ability to feature here, and it’s just a case of whether he can show it.
FALEHcan complete the placings. He was impressive when winning a handicap at Vichy over 1,000m last time. The son of FRANKEL is clearly in good form having failed to finish outside of the first three on all five starts this season, and another good showing can be expected here.
SELECTIONS: 8. LIVE IN THE DREAM, 3. BATWAN, 9. FALEH, 11. ZUDU SPIRIT & 2. TUDO BEM
1ST DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-1: Multiple – 8. LIVE IN THE DREAM & 3. BATWAN
S1-2: Multiple – 8. SECRET ANGEL & 3. MILL STREAM
S1-2 Prix Moonlight Cloud
The second race on the card at Deauville on Sunday is the Listed Prix Moonlight Cloud over 1,200m, which is restricted to 3YOs only.
SECRET ANGELis one of the British runners making their way to the French track for trainer Karl Burke and jockey Clifford Lee. As a 2YO, he won the Listed Prix Zeddaan over the same course and distance as this weekend’s contest, so he should handle conditions well if he can build on his winless five runs so far this season.
Also making his way over for France from the United Kingdom is the promising MILL STREAM. Trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam, her colt by GLENEAGLES was impressive when defeated twice this season in a handicap at York in June over 1,200m and in another valuable handicap at Newmarket (July Course) last month over 1,200m. He has been unlucky not to win yet this season and stepping out of handicap company could see him break his streak of losses.
Out of stall one, VICIOUS HARRYhas a great chance under Christophe Soumillion. He ended his 2YO season last year with a promising fifth in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere over 1,400m on very soft ground last October. Having been dropped in trip for his first four starts this campaign, he is one who will enjoy any rain-softened conditions and comes into this race in great form following his third at Deauville in the Listed Prix Kistena over 1,200m last month.
Having his first start at 1,200m this weekend is VALIMIfor Jean-Claude Rouget. His first four career starts were over 1,600m and included a good fifth in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains in May. The winner of that race, MARHABA YA SANAFI, has since come out and finished third in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club over 2,100m behind the exciting ACE IMPACT, so with this drop in trip likely to suit, he is one who could out-stay his opponents.
Finally, one of the fillies in the line-up is SPIRIT GALfor Andre Fabre. She is one of the more experienced 3YOs in the field having run eight times so far, five of which were in Ireland for former trainer W P Browne. Since moving stables, she has ran two good races at Deauville in the 1,400m G3 Prix Imprudence and Listed Prix Amandine, and a drop back down in trip could see her at her best.
SELECTIONS: 8. SECRET ANGEL, 3. MILL STREAM, 2. VICIOUS HARRY, 1. VALIMI & 6. SPIRIT GAL
2ND DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-2: Multiple – 8. SECRET ANGEL & 3. MILL STREAM
S1-3: Multiple – 11. HALF HALF & 1. ANTHORUS
1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-2:
Banker – 8. SECRET ANGEL
Selections – 3. MILL STREAM, 2. VICIOUS HARRY, 1. VALIMI & 6. SPIRIT GAL
S1-3:
Banker – 11. HALF HALF
Selections – 1. ANTHORUS, 10. KILOECHO, 4. BRAZILIAN SURPRISE & 5. KENGERO
S1-3 Class 1 Handicap
This 1,600m Class 1 handicap looks an ideal opportunity for HALF HALF. He won handicaps over 1,300m at this track in March and at Saint-Cloud over 1,400m in May. It looked a big ask to step up to G3 level but he certainly wasn’t outclassed when fifth over 1,400m at ParisLongchamp. That was a strong race as the runner-up GOOD GUESS went on to land the G1 Prix Jean Prat over 1,400m at Deauville last month. HALF HALF could only finish sixth in a Chantilly Listed race when upped to 1,600m for the first time on his most recent start but he found all sorts of traffic problems in the straight. He’s much better than that.
ANTHORUS has also been performing with credit in Listed and Group races. He hasn’t quite been up to winning at that higher level, but he has run well. The pick of those efforts came when staying on strongly in the closing stages to finish runner-up behind G1 winning-veteran THE REVENANT over 1,600m at Saint-Cloud in March. He’s held his form well since and he was third in a 1,600m Listed contest at Vichy last time out. The return to a handicap will suit Henri-Alex Pantall’s runner.
The 1,300m ParisLongchamp handicap KILOECHO won last October has worked out really well. He’s been gradually finding his form this season and he looks primed to run a big race after narrowly failing to catch MIRSKY over 1,600m at Deauville last month. His hold-up style of racing is much better suited to races like this.
BRAZILIAN SURPRISE put up a career-best performance when second at Listed level over this course and distance last month. In June, she won nicely in a class 2 over 1,600m at Nantes. That resolve will come in handy in a race like this.
KENGERO went for home a long way out before fading into fourth behind PERLE ROUGE over 1,600m at La Teste de Buch two weeks ago when the small field and steady pace didn’t really play to his strengths. He’s much better judged on his brave defeat of PERLE ROUGE and SUYIAN over 1,600m at Lyon Parilly in May and he went on to finish third behind subsequent G3 winner FAST RAAJ in a 1,600m Listed contest at Nantes. This is his type of race.
SELECTIONS: 11. HALF HALF, 1. ANTHORUS, 10. KILOECHO, 4. BRAZILIAN SURPRISE & 5. KENGERO
3RD DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-3: Multiple – 11. HALF HALF & 1. ANTHORUS
S1-4: Multiple – 2. CAWDOR & 3. COLOMBIER
S1-4 Prix Daphnis
Francis-Henri Graffard is hoping that the return to the 1,600m distance in the G3 Prix Daphnis will suit CAWDOR who was last seen finishing third to BREIZH SKY in a 1,400m G3 Prix Paul de Moussac at ParisLongchamp. BREIZH SKY has since stepped up in class in the G1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville where he finished third and based on that form, the son of INVINCIBLE SPIRIT must have a great chance of adding a first victory at this level to his record. The only concern is the heavy ground, which he has never encountered before.
Running in the same colours as CAWDOR, the supplemented COLOMBIER is unbeaten in two starts. Trained by Andre Fabre, he won on his debut over 2,000m at Chantilly and was then brought back to 1,600m where he also excelled, beating MR MOLIERE who reopposes here. His limits are unknown and if he can handle the heavy ground, he could well remain unbeaten.
MR MOLIERE, a stable companion of COLOMBIER, was extremely impressive on his debut on the polytrack at Chantilly at the beginning of the year, but has since failed to fulfil expectations. In fact, he disappointed on his second, third and fourth starts before a change to tactics that see him held up towards the back of the field, have given him a new lease of life. A winner on his last start in the Listed Prix de Saint-Patrick over this same trip, where he beat former classic hopeful PADISHAKH by half a length, he seems a worthy contender.
Trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, PADISHAKH had been a very promising 2YO who entered his 3YO season with serious ambitions. However, the trip in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club over 2,100m proved too far and while his second place behind MR MOLIERE on his latest start is encouraging, he will need to bring his A-game if he wants to win this race.
From the same yard comes KOVROV, who is going to make his first appearance on the big stage. A winner on his debut over this trip at Pau at the end of last year, the son of TORONADO scored again on his first start this season and once more at Toulouse. When stepped up to Listed level in a 1,600m race at Toulouse in April, he was well beaten into third place, but it’s still interesting connections are trying him here.
SELECTIONS: 2. CAWDOR, 3. COLOMBIER, 7. MR MOLIERE, 9. KOVROV & 4. PADISHAKH
4TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-4: Multiple – 2. CAWDOR & 3. COLOMBIER
S1-5: Multiple – 7. ART POWER & 5. SPYCATCHER
S1-5 Prix Maurice de Gheest
A high-quality field of international runners line up for the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest over 1,300m.
ART POWER, who was last seen winning the G2 Sapphire Stakes over 1,000m impressively at the Curragh, steps up in trip for this race, but that shouldn’t be a problem. He won a G2 contest over 1,200m earlier this season and ran a creditable fourth over 1,400m in the G2 City Of York Stakes in 2022. He will also have no issues with the likely soft ground, so ticks a lot of boxes.
Karl Burke, who is having a terrific season, sends SPYCATCHER for this G1 contest. A winner last time out over 1,200m at Deauville on soft ground, he can be in the mix if reproducing that run here. A consistent type, the son of VADAMOS is rarely seen outside of the placings.
Burke also saddles COLD CASEand he’s certainly not out of it either. He won the G3 Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes over 1,200m at the start of the season and has been far from disgraced at Haydock and Newbury, both over 1,200m subsequently. This will be the softest ground he’s encountered so far, but his pedigree suggests he should handle it.
Hugo Palmer’s BRAD THE BRIEF should have his preferred conditions at Deauville. He has been consistent in two runs this season, and boasts seven career wins over 1,200m, including a G2 win at the Curragh last season. He should be able to improve on his last two starts, finishing fourth and fifth respectively, and would have a chance if recapturing his old form.
SANDRINE, who could take advantage of her weight-for-sex allowance against the colts and geldings, had an excellent 2YO season, with three wins and two places from five starts. Last season saw her win the G2 World Pool Lennox Stakes over 1,400m at Goodwood, finishing ahead of this year’s winner KINROSS. Capable of better and coming from a yard in very good form, she could have a chance.
SELECTIONS: 7. ART POWER, 5. SPYCATCHER, 10. COLD CASE, 2. BRAD THE BRIEF & 9. SANDRINE
5TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple – 7. ART POWER & 5. SPYCATCHER
S1-6: Multiple – 10. LA JAVANAISE & 5. CREATIVE
2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-5:
Banker – 7. ART POWER
Selections – 5. SPYCATCHER, 10. COLD CASE, 2. BRAD THE BRIEF & 9. SANDRINE
S1-6:
Banker – 10. LA JAVANAISE
Selections – 5. CREATIVE, 6. PERTUSATO, 15. MAKTAVA & 3. GOLFING STAR
S1-6 Class 3 Handicap
As always, this is a very competitive handicap, which has been targeted by the very consistent LA JAVANAISE. The 6YO daughter of WAR COMMAND is a regular visitor to Deauville racecourse where she nearly always runs into a place. Her last victory came in June 2022 but that should not put punters off in this race, which has been her main target of the season. She comes to Deauville after a little break and on the back of a third place in a similar handicap over 2,000m at Lyon Parilly. Reunited with Deauville-based jockey Theo Bachelot, this 1,900m handicap should be easily within her reach.
CREATIVE, on the other hand, is far from consistent but, on a good day, is always a worthy competitor. Since winning a major handicap in June 2022 at Chantilly, she has experienced a variety of different fortunes, but managed to get her head in front of LA JAVANAISE in a 2,100m handicap on the polytrack at Chantilly in March. A duel between these two mares is expected, especially since CREATIVE will relish the return to the 1,900m distance.
The Yann Barberot-trained PERTUSATO enjoyed a good run at the end of 2022 when he was placed in several handicaps over the 1,600m distance and even enjoyed a success on the polytrack at Chantilly. He then lost his form a bit but his fourth place in a handicap over 1,800m at ParisLongchamp last time out shows that he is coming back to his best. Running over this slightly longer trip should be no problem either.
Like CREATIVE, MAKTAVA is lacking consistency, but this type of handicap should be within his reach. A recent runner-up in a Class 3 Handicap over 1,800m at ParisLongchamp, where he was only beaten a neck, is ample proof that he is more than capable of winning this type of race. In fact, this winter, he enjoyed a third place behind LAZY GER over this same trip and track. Ridden by Megane Peslier, the daughter of jockey Olivier Peslier, this could turn out to be his race of the season.
Following a 13 month-absence, GOLFING STAR proved that he had lost none of his ability when he won a Class 4 race at Morlaix on his reappearance. Unsurprisingly, his massive defeat in a claiming race over 2,000m last month at ParisLongchamp came as a big shock to his connections. This is an opportunity for him to get himself back into the good books and seeing that he has produced some very solid form over this trip and track in the past, it would be wrong to write him off.
SELECTIONS: 10. LA JAVANAISE, 5. CREATIVE, 6. PERTUSATO, 15. MAKTAVA & 3. GOLFING STAR
6TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-6: Multiple – 10. LA JAVANAISE & 5. CREATIVE
S1-7: Multiple – 7. CHUBASCO & 5. FROSTY BAY
TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-6: Multiple –10. LA JAVANAISE, 5. CREATIVE & 6. PERTUSATO
S1-7: Multiple –7. CHUBASCO, 5. FROSTY BAY & 1. BURATTINA
S1-8: Multiple –3. CISKY, 2. FAR MOUNTAIN EMERY & 5. BREMONTIER
S1-7 Class 3 Handicap
This looks a competitive Class 3 Handicap over 1,900m on Deauville’s polytrack.
Not many of these bring winning form into this race, so CHUBASCO is worthy of respect after his win when last seen at Clairefontaine over 1,800m, where he stayed on strongly down the stands’ rails. Christophe Lotoux’s 6YO son of ANODIN is a dual course and distance winner and now has the assistance of Mickael Barzalona in the saddle. He’s well drawn in stall three and looks set to go close.
A key form line to this race might be last month’s contest at Chantilly, also a 1,900m Class 3 Handicap on the polytrack, where BURATTINA finished third, narrowly ahead of FROSTY BAY. BURATTINA was posted on the outside of the field turning into the home straight and got plenty of clear racing room when the dash for home ensued. She was pushed along at the top of the straight and made good ground, hitting the front inside the final 200m before just being out battled close home. The 5YO daughter of BURATINO should run another good race.
FROSTY BAY had a trip around the inside last time at Chantilly and was travelling well at the top of the home straight, but always looked to be short of racing room. Despite that, jockey Maxime Guyon managed to weave a passage through, and he ran on well into fourth at the finish. Nicolas Caullery’s runner is a 9YO now but is generally consistent and has won over this course and distance in the past. With a bit more luck in running this time, he may be able to reverse form with BURATTINA.
Nicolas Caullery also runs JACKY, a 5YO that has plenty of good form over 1,900m on the polytrack at Deauville. He stayed on well to win here last November, and before that had twice placed over the course and distance. When last seen he finished down the field in a 1,600m Class 3 event at Compiegne in May, but that can be excused as he looks to be better over further. He is capable of going well fresh, so on the back of a small break and returned to this 1,900m, a good run can be expected.
Another former winner over this 1,900m is HOOLONG, who won impressively here in January. His form hasn’t been so good on five starts since then but a return to Deauville’s all-weather might help spark some improvement.
SELECTIONS: 7. CHUBASCO, 5. FROSTY BAY, 1. BURATTINA, 3. JACKY & 15. HOOLONG
7TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-7: Multiple – 7. CHUBASCO & 5. FROSTY BAY
S1-8: Multiple – 3. CISKY & 2. FAR MOUNTAIN EMERY
S1-8 Class 4 Handicap
A very tricky 1,900m handicap on the polytrack to round off the card.
CISKY was well below par on his last start at Chantilly over 1,900m but had been remarkably consistent prior to that. Since early August 2022, he’d run nine times and only failed to finish outside of the first three twice. Five of those starts came over this course and distance and he recorded two wins and three place, while never finishing out of the frame, so he clearly relishes 1,900m on the polytrack at Deauville. He gets the help of Christophe Soumillon for the first time and is a leading hope if back on song.
SLEEPER hasn’t been at his best this season, but is well-handicapped on his old form. His run at Evreux over 2,500m last time was a step back in the right direction and it could be that a return to the 1,900m trip might just seek out some improvement.
VAN HALO is another who ran below his best last time. He finished down the field in the same race CISKY ran in, but he did win a Chantilly handicap over 2,100m two starts back, and isn’t badly handicapped on that, with this slight drop in class also in his favour. The son of DABIRSIM needs to prove this 1,900m trip suits, though.
BREMONTIER has been in great recent form, finishing third on his last two starts in competitive handicaps at Strasbourg over 2,000m and ParisLongchamp over 1,850m. The gelding has been given a break since that run and that looks a shrewd move as he seems to go well fresh. He’s finished second and third on his only previous runs over this course and distance and Maxime Guyon gets on well with him, so he should be competitive once again.
FAR MOUNTAIN EMERY recorded his first win in over a year last time at Chateaubriant over 1,950m. She had struggled to find her best form prior to that, but got the job done, beating a previous start winner in the process. Although this requires another step forward, she might just have turned a corner and could go well under regular rider Simon Planque.
SELECTIONS: 3. CISKY, 2. FAR MOUNTAIN EMERY, 5. BREMONTIER, 4. VAN HALO & 1. SLEEPER
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