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 Jacques le Marois Day (S2) (Bill Esdaile)

 

S2-1   Prix Minerve

 

This looks like a competitive renewal of the G3 Prix Minerve over 2,500m for 3YO fillies.

 

Francis-Henri Graffard’s TASMANIA brings the best form into this after staying on strongly from the back of the field to finish third in the G1 Prix de Diane over 2,100m at Chantilly in June. That race developed from the front, so it was an eye-catching effort and one that deserves to be upgraded. This step up in trip is fully expected to bring about significant improvement from this daughter of AUSTRALIA, and she may well be able to take advantage of this drop in grade.

 

Andre Fabre is the all-time leading trainer in this race having saddled 10 winners in the past. The fact that the master trainer pitches ANGEL GUIDANCE in here on only her third start should be a tip in itself. She controlled the race from the front when winning her maiden at Vichy over 2,400m last month, and when asked to win the race she stretched out impressively to hit the line strongly. A daughter of MASTERCRAFTSMAN, she looks an imposing filly and could well be up to taking this step up to Group company in her stride. British raiders have a good record in this race and have won the last two renewals.

 

William Haggas’ CRACK OF LIGHT was seen finishing second in the G2 Prix de Malleret over 2,400m at ParisLongchamp last month. Rider Tom Marquand went to the front and tried to control the race on that occasion, but CRACK OF LIGHT was just passed by a strong finisher in the closing stages. Despite the drop in grade this looks a more competitive race than last time, and she will need to have improved if she is to take this.

 

SCARLETT O’HARA has looked steadily progressive in her five starts to date. Mrs John Harrington’s daughter of FRANKEL got off the mark at the fourth attempt in maiden company at the Curragh over 2,400m in June and was then pitched into the G3 Stanerra Stakes over 2,800m on her last start. She travelled well through that contest and hit the front with 400m to go but was just run down at the finish. This slight drop in trip is expected to suit her and she should be in contention once again.

 

Joseph O’Brien’s SHAMWARI has only won a Dundalk maiden 2,136m, but she did finish second in a Listed race over 2,400m on her second start, and it’s unlikely we’ve seen the best of her yet.

 

SELECTIONS: 5. TASMANIA, 2. ANGEL GUIDANCE, 9. CRACK OF LIGHT, 8. SCARLETT O’HARA & 7. SHAMWARI

 

1ST DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-1: Multiple – 5. TASMANIA & 2. ANGEL GUIDANCE
S2-2: Multiple – 1. AZKA & 7. CAMERON

 

S2-2   3yo Handicap

 

A low draw should prove advantageous over 1,900m in this course, where runners will hit the first right-hand bend after the opening 300m.

 

The Markus Munch-trained CAMERON will break from stall six and arrives here off the back of finishing third in the 2,000m at ParisLongchamp. Having cut out the running in that event, he got a little tired in the closing stages but stuck on well to remain well clear of the fourth-placed horse. On that evidence, he still appears to be well-handicapped and could be more effective now dropped back in trip having previously won over 1,800m at Compiegne.

 

GRECIAN BONANZA made up eye-catching ground over 2,000m at Deauville last time out to hit the front with 100m to go but was just denied by AZKA and ZAHYANA. His only win to date came over 1,800m at Lyon - La Soie in February, so the drop back from 2,000m is no concern, and he should be finishing the race off strongly. From seven starts in 2023, he’s won one and placed in the other four, so looks a reliable type for the shortlist.

 

AZKA came from even further back in the field to land that race and is now worse off at the weights as a result, but that was impressive and he should go close again if reproducing that run. His most recent effort over this 1,900m trip came on the polytrack at Chantilly in January, when staying on well late to finish a clear third. He was given a three-month break after that run and has been in good form since, with his form reading 4421 since April, and he remains fairly lightly-raced with just seven runs under his belt.

 

Christophe Soumillon takes the ride on VALENTINO FACE, who was last seen finishing way down the field over 1,600m at ParisLongchamp last time out. He spent most of that race at the rear of the field and, having trapped behind a wall of horses in the home straight, was never asked for maximum effort. If he can settle over this longer trip and get some daylight in the closing stages, he could run into the places.

 

SNOWFINCH has failed to back up her win over 1,600m at Vichy in May in two runs since, finishing sixth over 1,600m at La Teste De Buch and thirteenth over the same trip at Compiegne, but remains of interest. The daughter of DUBAWI looks as though she’ll appreciate the step up to 1,900m, having previously finished third over 2,300m on debut at Le Mans in April, and remains open to plenty of improvement. Her draw in stall 16 means she’s a less confident selection for win purposes, but she’s an unexposed type stepping back up in trip with top jockey Mickael Barzalona in the saddle.

 

SELECTIONS: 1. AZKA, 7. CAMERON, 12. GRECIAN BONANZA, 14. SNOWFINCH & 11. VALENTINO FACE

 

2ND DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-2: Multiple – 1. AZKA & 7. CAMERON
S2-3: Multiple – 7. BOLD ACT & 5. WOODCHUCK

1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S2-2:   
Banker – 1. AZKA
Selections – 7. CAMERON, 12. GRECIAN BONANZA, 14. SNOWFINCH & 11. VALENTINO FACE
S2-3:   
Banker – 7. BOLD ACT
Selections – 5. WOODCHUCK, 8. VICTORY DANCE, 4. DEVIL IN THE SKY & 2. BRAVAIS

 

S2-3   Prix Nureyev

 

Charlie Appleby-trained BOLD ACT finished third in the 2,000m G2 Prix Eugene Adam at Saint Cloud. Before that, the son of NEW APPROACH out of a DUBAWI mare had made a very good impression in the 1,993m G3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot where he made up a lot of ground after having travelled towards the back of the field. In the Prix Eugene Adam, he was ridden more positively but that might not have suited him, and it will be interesting to see what racing tactics his partner William Buick will opt for this time. In any case, this entry should suit the tough gelding who might find that his most dangerous opponent comes from his own yard. 

 

Indeed, a precocious 2YO, VICTORY DANCE’s best performance to date was his second place in the 1,400m G2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket (July Course) last year where he was beaten a head by Poule d’Essai des Poulains runner-up ISAAC SHELBY. A Listed winner at two over 1,400m, VICTORY DANCE was stepped up in trip for his seasonal reappearance in a 2,000m Listed contest at Newmarket where finished an encouraging third. This will be only his second start of the season and with Ryan Moore booked for the ride, it would be no surprise to see him finishing close if not in front of his stable companion BOLD ACT. 

 

While Godolphin come here with a strong hand, the French opposition should not be underestimated and the locally-trained DEVIL IN THE SKY has definite claims in this race. After two victories, first at Chantilly and then at the Lion d’Angers Racecourse, this very good looking individual was stepped up in class in the G3 Prix du Lys where he seemed to struggle with the 2,400m distance. He should appreciate the return to 2,000m and could give the Yann Barberot yard a much-appreciated victory on their home turf.

 

Andre Fabre supplemented BRAVAIS who started his career with two victories over 1,400m before finishing third to a very impressive MR MOLIERE in a 1,600m Listed event at Chantilly. BRAVAIS only finished fourth on his first attempt over 2,000m at Compiegne, but in his defence, he probably did not like the very soft ground that day and hence could spring a surprise at Deauville where the ground will be quicker.

 

In that same Listed race at Compiegne over 2,000m, WOODCHUCK finished second after a fierce battle with the Godolphin-owned BIRR CASTLE. Very consistent in his four starts this season where he has never finished outside the first two, he is bound to produce another good performance at Deauville. 

 

SELECTIONS: 7. BOLD ACT, 5. WOODCHUCK, 8. VICTORY DANCE, 4. DEVIL IN THE SKY & 2. BRAVAIS

 

3RD DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-3: Multiple – 7. BOLD ACT & 5. WOODCHUCK
S2-4: Multiple – 11. BIG ROCK & 2. TRIPLE TIME

 

S2-4   Prix Jacques le Marois

 

Numerous trainers from both France and Britain are sending a field of talented horses into the 1,600m G1 Prix Jacques le Marois. 

 

Christopher Head’s BIG ROCK has had an excellent season so far. Four wins from five runs, including two G3, have shown that he is very talented. A recent second place, beating MARHABA YA SANAFI (winner of this year’s Poule d'Essai des Poulains), in the 2,100m G1 Prix de Jockey Club has proven his ability at the top level and, if he gets the soft ground he prefers, he should have a strong chance.

 

Kevin Ryan’s TRIPLE TIME made an impressive seasonal debut, beating INSPIRAL to win the 1,600m G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot when stepping up to G1 company for the first time. The son of FRANKEL has won over this distance four times now on a variety of ground, and his performance last time was a career best. He may prefer firmer ground, but has won in softer conditions previously, so should be competitive again.

 

John and Thady Gosden’s filly INSPIRAL won this race last year, beating LIGHT INFANTRY by a neck, and ran well on seasonal debut this year to finish a close second to TRIPLE TIME in the aforementioned Royal Ascot contest. She is a high-quality filly who is capable of beating top-class colts on her best form. She showed in the 1,600m G1 Sussex Stakes last time that she doesn’t handle deep ground, so rain might disadvantage her.

 

3YO MARHABA YA SANAFI has won three times over 1,600m and placed twice from only six career starts. Having won the 1,600m G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains earlier this year and been third in the 2,100m Prix du Jockey Club, he has the class to step up against the older horses. He’s certainly not without a chance in this.

 

Another consistent type is LIGHT INFANTRY who was seen most recently finishing third behind TRIPLE TIME and INSPIRAL in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. The FAST COMPANY colt has run in France three times, narrowly beaten when finishing second on each occasion. He is very consistent on French turf and, being in as good form as ever this season, he should have no reason not to be in the shakeup again.

 

SELECTIONS: 11. BIG ROCK, 2. TRIPLE TIME, 5. INSPIRAL, 8. MARHABA YA SANAFI & 4. LIGHT INFANTRY

 

4TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-4: Multiple – 11. BIG ROCK & 2. TRIPLE TIME
S2-5: Multiple – 7. PLACE DU CARROUSEL & 6. KERTEZ

2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S2-4:   
Banker – 11. BIG ROCK
Selections – 2. TRIPLE TIME, 5. INSPIRAL, 8. MARHABA YA SANAFI & 4. LIGHT INFANTRY
S2-5:   
Banker – 7. PLACE DU CARROUSEL
Selections – 6. KERTEZ, 5. BOLTHOLE, 3. CENTRICAL & 1. MONTY

 

S2-5   Prix Gontaut-Biron Hong Kong Jockey Club

 

This looks a sub-standard renewal of this G3 race over 2,000m, which the legendary French trainer Andre Fabre has won a record six times. 

 

Significantly, Fabre, who has two major players in the eight-strong field, managed a prep-race for this with PLACE DU CARROUSEL, who held her own against the colts in the G1 Prix Ganay over 2,100m at ParisLongchamp in April. PLACE DU CARROUSEL was only a length behind the classy Eclipse Stakes winner VADENI in fifth place in that race, and Fabre has kept her fresh for an autumn campaign. There weren’t many better fillies around in France last season than PLACE DU CARROUSEL. She finished second in the G1 Prix Saint-Alary over 2,000m at ParisLongchamp, and later showed her G1 Prix de Diane over 2,100m flop at Chantilly to be all wrong when she bounced back to beat the smart NASHWA in the G1 Prix de l’Opera over 2,000m back at ParisLongchamp’s Arc meeting.

 

Fabre, who first won this race with the Lester Piggott-ridden CARIELLOR in 1985, also runs KERTEZ, who was a three-time winner over 2,000m at Saint-Cloud in the early part of last season. KERTEZ was later made favourite for the G3 La Coupe at Longchamp, but he suffered a poor start and never got into a rhythm, finishing third to all-the-way winner MONTY. MONTY relished being given a soft lead out in front and stayed on well up the straight, but he seems to have lost his way this season, whereas KERTEZ has improved, being placed four times in Group races but producing his best effort in the two over 2,400m. He looked short of pace over this 2,000m when finishing behind BOLTHOLE at Vichy in July.

 

BOLTHOLE had earlier won two Listed races over 1,900m and 2,000m in the French provinces, but being only narrowly beaten in G3 company over 2,000m at Vichy was his best run yet. However, this is a much tougher assignment.

 

CENTRICAL, who won over this 2,000m for Fabre as a 3YO, is now with Stephane Wattel, who trains close to the Deauville course. 2,100m is the best trip for CENTRICAL, who has been beaten only once in four races for Wattel, though, significantly, that was when he stepped into G3 company for the first time at ParisLongchamp.

 

SELECTIONS: 7. PLACE DU CARROUSEL, 6. KERTEZ, 5. BOLTHOLE, 3. CENTRICAL & 1. MONTY

 

5TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-5: Multiple – 7. PLACE DU CARROUSEL & 6. KERTEZ
S2-6: Multiple – 3. SAINT ETIENNE & 8. SHAZAM

TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S2-5: Multiple – 7. PLACE DU CARROUSEL, 6. KERTEZ & 5. BOLTHOLE
S2-6: Multiple – 3. SAINT ETIENNE, 8. SHAZAM & 1. PANGAEA
S2-7: Multiple – 1. BUTI, 9. ITALO & 11. L’IENISSEI

 

S2-6   3yo Handicap

 

SAINT ETIENNE has been a late developer who learned his trade in conditions races. In four starts over 1,950m and 1,800m, he has finished third on three occasions and although this will be his first appearance at a major track, he has enough experience to win on his first attempt in handicap company. Trained by Yann Barberot at Deauville, the son of LE HAVRE should not be underestimated. 

 

Francis-Henri Graffard has supplemented SHAZAM, a son of German stayer ADLERFLUG, in this 1,900m handicap on the polytrack at Deauville. SHAZAM enjoyed his first victory of his career when he won a 1,800m handicap at ParisLongchamp on his seventh start. There still seems lots of room for improvement. Like SAINT ETIENNE, this will be SHAZAM’s first start on the polytrack.

 

PANGAEA, who was also supplemented for this event, proved that this type of race should be well within his reach after he was beaten a head by HERNAN CORTES over 1,800m at ParisLongchamp. Following a further two starts in 2,000m races where it would be fair to say that he was very unlucky, he finally got off the mark in a conditions race over the same course and distance as this race. He seems in good form and will stand him in good stead here.

 

VENICE will have his first start for trainer Stephane Cerulis, who is hoping that the son of ALMANZOR can finally make his way onto the podium after suffering various health issues in the past that prevented him from producing his best form. There is no doubt that he is a talented individual as he proved when he finished a good second in a 1,200m dash on the straight course at Deauville last August. He has not run since finishing second again in a 2,000m maiden at Nancy in May, but should do well off this handicap mark. 

 

DE QUEVEDO was bought out of a 2,400m claiming race at Vichy where he finished sixth before showing his true potential on his next start when he was brought back to the 1,900m distance on the polytrack at Deauville. He finished strongly that day to secure third place and while he finds himself in better company this time, the way he finished showed that he should be capable of winning a handicap sooner rather than later.

 

SELECTIONS: 3. SAINT ETIENNE, 8. SHAZAM, 1. PANGAEA, 2. VENICE & 12. DE QUEVEDO

 

6TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-6: Multiple – 3. SAINT ETIENNE & 8. SHAZAM
S2-7: Multiple – 1. BUTI & 9. ITALO

 

S2-7   Class 3 Handicap

 

BUTI has an excellent record on Deauville’s polytrack course and he looks the one to be on for this 1,500m handicap. Three of his four career victories have come on this track, but they have all been over the slightly shorter 1,300m trip. He definitely stays 1,500m and he was a little unlucky not to win over this course and distance in November when nailed close home in a claimer. The longer distance will help as he couldn’t go the early pace when fourth over 1,100m two weeks ago.

 

ITALO showed a really good attitude when twice winning over 1,600m at Pau in January. He’s at his best on artificial surfaces, so it wasn’t a big surprise when he returned to form to finish third on the polytrack course at Chantilly over 1,800m in April. That’s good form in the context of this race and he hasn’t been disgraced in his two subsequent races on turf over 1,600m. The return to the polytrack gives him a good chance.

 

L’IENISSEI twice won over this course and distance in late 2021. Although he’s not won since, he has been running well this year. He was runner-up over 1,650m at Amiens in June and he went on to fill the same position over 1,400m on Chantilly’s polytrack in July. The strong early pace meant he wasn’t able to get his favoured prominent position over 1,400m at this track 2 weeks ago, so it was a promising effort to be beaten less than two lengths in finishing sixth.

 

GREY BELLE put in some solid efforts on the polytrack in Britain before leaving Ivan Furtado to join Francois Monfort. She was forced to race a bit wide from a poor draw at this track over 1,400m last time but she was still able to throw down a strong challenge in the straight. It was only in the final 100m that she faded and it’s not hard to imagine she would have won with a kinder passage through the race.

 

HEARTBEAT should be spot on following two runs since returning from a three-month break. The form of his 1,300m win at this track in November worked out really well and judged on that effort he would have to come into calculations.

 

SELECTIONS: 1. BUTI, 9. ITALO, 11. L’IENISSEI, 15. GREY BELLE & 7. HEARTBEAT

 

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