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 Jean Romanet Day (S1) (Bill Esdaile)

 

S1-1     Class 1 Allowance

 

Seven 4YOs and a 5YO go to post for the 1,300m Class 1 Allowance on the polytrack at Deauville. The older horse, FANG, arrives here on the back of defeating NESR SHALGHODA by a neck in the 1,200m Class 2 race. Despite the narrow margin of victory, FANG was well in command at the line and finished his race off strongly. The extra 100m here should suit and it’s hard to see NESR SHALGHODA reversing the form, though a return to this polytrack looks to be in his favour. While FANG has only raced once on the polytrack, finishing a well-beaten fifth over this course and distance, NESR SHALGHODA is a two-time winner on the surface. Both of those wins came in lesser company, though, and it’s hard to see him taking this Class 1 contest.

 

The G3 1200m Prix de Ris-Orangis proved to be too big a task for SIAM PARAGON last time out but is of interest back down in grade. He notched consecutive wins over 1,200m at Saint-Cloud before that and was fourth in the Class 1 race over 1,400m at ParisLongchamp three starts back. KING GOLD, the winner from that race went on to win the G3 Prix de la Porte Maillot and the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, so the form looks strong.

 

It’s hard to know what to expect from Andre Fabre’s BOLCHOI on his first run in almost a year, but he was progressing well as a 3YO and finished off last year’s campaign with back-to-back wins over this course and distance. He has the beating of NESR SHALGHODA on his 3YO form but may need the run first time up.

 

LOUBEISIEN was outclassed on his most recent start in the 1,400m G3 Prix du Palais-Royal, but should find this a bit easier. He started the season brightly, winning the Class 1 race over 1,300m on the polytrack at Chantilly in March, but has since failed to fire in Listed and Group company. Trainer Christophe Ferland has decided to lower his sights for the son of KHELEYF and he shouldn’t be overlooked. Three of his four wins have come on the polytrack and he’s a dual winner over this 1,300m trip.

 

SELECTIONS: 7. SIAM PARAGON, 1. FANG, 2. LOUBEISIEN, 5. BOLCHOI & 4. NESR SHALGHODA

 

1ST DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-1: Multiple – 7. SIAM PARAGON & 1. FANG
S1-2: Multiple – 2. PARCHEMIN & 5. ELIYASS

 

S1-2     Class 1 Handicap

 

The Chantilly-based handler Andre Fabre is hoping that PARCHEMIN can follow in his hoof steps when he lines up at the start of this 1,900m handicap over this polytrack track at Deauville. The Godolphin-owned horse enjoyed a very good start to his career, highlighted by a fifth place in the 1,600m G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains behind ST MARK'S BASILICA and a victory in a Listed race over 2,000m. This year, the 5YO finished third in a 1,800m handicap at Chantilly before producing another good run in a Class 1 race behind INTEGRANT over the same course and distance as this handicap. With a strong pace in the race, he could once more play his part in this very competitive handicap.

 

Like PARCHEMIN, INTEGRANT enjoyed a good 3YO season, winning a Listed race over this course and distance. Trained by Henri-Francois Devin, this is the first season that the son of FRANKEL has not been entered in a Listed or Group race and this first attempt in handicap company could prove the way forward. He is not ideally placed in the weights, but has already beaten ELIYASS, BEHTAR and PARCHEMIN when they met on 3rd August. 

 

The 4YO ELIYASS, a son of LE HAVRE, only had one start as a 2YO before sitting out his entire 3YO season. Owned by the S.A. Aga Khan, in January he returned to the competition with a bang, winning four races in rapid succession from 1,800m on the polytrack at Lyon - La Soie to 2,000m on the polytrack at Cagnes-sur-Mer and on the turf at Chantilly and Strasbourg. He then enjoyed a little break before coming back over this same course and distance at the beginning of August when only INTEGRANT got the better of him. This time, INTEGRANT has to give him weight, which should give the Jean-Claude Rouget-trained ELIYASS a great chance of getting his name on the board.

 

BEHTAR is carrying the owner’s second colours in this race as he is far less consistent. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, he disappointed in a 2,400m handicap at Chantilly but then ran much better on polytrack at Deauville when he was dropped back in trip to 1,900m. Supplemented for this event, he must overcome the outside draw of 15.

 

INDIAN PACIFIC is also not known for his consistency but on a good day he could spring a surprise. His last start over this trip was marred by a lack of pace but coming out of stall 3 and, ridden by Christophe Soumillon, he should be more competitive this time round.

 

SELECTIONS: 2. PARCHEMIN, 5. ELIYASS, 3. INTEGRANT, 13. INDIAN PACIFIC & 7. BEHTAR

 

2ND DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-2: Multiple – 2. PARCHEMIN & 5. ELIYASS
S1-3: Multiple – 4. ABOVE THE CURVE & 3. VIA SISTINA

 

1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-2:   
Banker – 2. PARCHEMIN
Selections – 5. ELIYASS, 3. INTEGRANT, 13. INDIAN PACIFIC & 7. BEHTAR
S1-3:   
Banker – 4. ABOVE THE CURVE
Selections – 3. VIA SISTINA, 7. MQSE DE SEVIGNE, 6. TREVAUNANCE & 5. ONE FOR BOBBY

 

S1-3     Prix Jean Romanet

 

Since its inception in 2004, the 2000m G1 Prix Jean Romanet has been a race in which English-trained horses have done well in. Seven of the last nine winners of the contest have hailed from the UK and VIA SISTINA looks to hold solid claims of keeping the run going. George Boughey’s 5YO is a filly that seems to have thrived with age and built on a good G3 victory at Toulouse over 2,100m last season by bolting up on her seasonal reappearance in the G2 Dahlia Stakes over 1,800m at Newmarket. She then put in a career best to win the G1 Pretty Polly Stakes over 2,000m at the Curragh where she had the likes of ABOVE THE CURVE in behind. She wasn’t as good last time dropped down to 1,600m, but back up in distance on slightly softer ground should see her to much better effect.

 

ABOVE THE CURVE looks a big danger. Always well-regarded, the daughter of AMERICAN PHAROAH was last seen finishing a close second in the G1 Nassau Stakes over 1,979m at Goodwood. As mentioned, she finished third to VIA SISTINA at the Curragh prior to that, and while she’ll need to improve to beat that rival here, her run at Goodwood, as well as her G2 win at Saint-Cloud over 2,100m earlier this season, makes her very interesting.

 

MQSE DE SEVIGNE’s win in the G1 Prix Rothschild over 1,600m might have been a touch surprising, but it was deserved given she’d finished second in her previous three races. One of those came when she finished behind ABOVE THE CURVE in the G2 Prix Corrida, so she has the form to be competitive. The fact she’s never won over this distance is a slight concern, though.

 

Mrs John Harrington’s TREVAUNANCE hasn’t been at her best this season, but she’d certainly have a chance on last season’s form where she won twice at Group level. Those both came over this course and distance in the G3 Prix de Psyche and G2 Prix de la Nonette, while she wasn’t disgraced in the G1 Prix de l'Opera over 2,000m either. She’ll need to run much better than she has this term, but a return to this track and trip might just do the trick.

 

ONE FOR BOBBY can complete the placings. She ran well in a G3 at Newcastle over 2,038m in June and won the G3 Grand Prix de Vichy last time. She should be competitive off the back of that.

 

SELECTIONS: 4. ABOVE THE CURVE, 3. VIA SISTINA, 7. MQSE DE SEVIGNE, 6. TREVAUNANCE & 5. ONE FOR BOBBY

 

3RD DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-3: Multiple – 4. ABOVE THE CURVE & 3. VIA SISTINA
S1-4: Multiple – 7. RIVER TIBER & 6. VANDEEK

 

S1-4     Prix Morny

 

The G1 Prix Morny over 1,200m has an established role of honour, with some very classy sprinters having won it in the past.

 

This year’s line-up looks another strong bunch and the place to start is RIVER TIBER. The son of WOOTTON BASSETT has won all three of his starts so far, with the most recent of those coming in the G2 Coventry Stakes over 1,200m at Royal Ascot. That looks very strong with the third BUCANERO FUERTE winning a G2 and G1 level since, while the fifth HAATEM has won a G2, so RIVER TIBER sets the standard here.

 

VANDEEK is another unbeaten colt and Simon & Ed Crisford’s charge looks a live contender stepped up in Grade. The expensive purchase missed the break on his debut at Nottingham over 1,216m, but showed plenty of ability to still get the job done. He was then very well-backed to win the G2 Richmond Stakes over 1,200m at Goodwood last time and the market confidence was justified as he won in impressive fashion. The son of HAVANA GREY faces better opposition here, but he’s very exciting.

 

Also a son of HAVANA GREY, ELITE STATUS, is another interesting runner. Having won his maiden impressively, he absolutely bolted up on his second start in the Listed National Stakes over 1,009m at Sandown. He ran perfectly well to finish third in the G2 Norfolk Stakes over 1,000m subsequently, where the ground might have been a touch quick. He bounced back to his best last time in the G3 Prix de Cabourg over the same course and distance and should go well again.

 

It’s hard not to have been impressed by RAMATUELLE on her last two starts. She has destroyed good fields in both the G3 Prix du Bois and G2 Prix Robert Papin and this looks the logical next step. The weight she receives for being a filly is only an advantage and she could easily serve it up to the boys.

 

SACRED ANGEL was similarly good last time. That came in the G3 Princess Margaret Stakes over 1,200m where she impressed to win by three lengths. This is a big step up, but she’s a filly on the rise.

 

SELECTIONS: 7. RIVER TIBER, 6. VANDEEK, 9. RAMATUELLE, 1. ELITE STATUS & 8. SACRED ANGEL

 

4TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-4: Multiple – 7. RIVER TIBER & 6. VANDEEK
S1-5: Multiple – 1. THE GOOD MAN & 2. SOBER

 

S1-5     Prix Kergorlay

 

Trained locally by Stephane Wattel, who has just recorded his first G1 race of his career when Arc hope SIMCA MILLE won the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin in Germany, THE GOOD MAN has not finished out of the first two in his last five starts. He was narrowly beaten by SOBER when they met in the G2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier over 3,100m at the end of May at ParisLongchamp, but he turned that form around in the G2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil over 2,800m in July. Coming from a yard in form and benefitting from home advantage, this ultra-reliable stayer will without doubt produce another good performance.

 

Third in the G1 Prix Royal-Oak over 3,100m at the end of last season, SOBER has only run four times this year, winning the G2 Prix Vicomtesse Vigier before finishing third in the G2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil over 2,800m. While THE GOOD MAN held him comfortably in that last race, in fact, there is not much between those two horses and it could be the ground that will make the difference, as SOBER should handle soft conditions better than THE GOOD MAN.

 

GRAND ALLIANCE is a British raider with justified ambitions. Trained by Charlie Fellowes, GRAND ALLIANCE ran in the G1 Derby over 2,400m at Epsom last year, without success, but was then the runner-up in the G2 King Edward VII Stakes, which is often considered a consolation race for the Derby. That however proved his only good performance and in August 2022 he was gelded. This season, he was very competitive on his first starts, but has since disappointed once more, finishing 21 lengths behind the winner in the G2 Princess of Wales’s Stakes over 2,400m. This is his first start over the longer trip.

 

MEASURE OF TIME, a stable companion of SOBER, used to lose his race in the parade ring. Last autumn he was gelded and following a 10-month absence from the track, he made a very encouraging seasonal reappearance in July in the Listed Prix du Carroussel, which is run like the Prix Kergorlay over 3,000m at Deauville. He finished third that day, leaving behind him DIVA DONNA and GOYA SENORA. In good form, he could go well here once more.

 

Despite now being 8YO, RUN FOR OSCAR remains very competitive. At Royal Ascot, he finished an excellent third in the Queen Alexandra Stakes over 4,330m before putting in another good performance behind EMILY DICKINSON in the G2 Curragh Cup over 2,800m at the Curragh. A place should well be within the reach of this stayer.

 

SELECTIONS: 1. THE GOOD MAN, 2. SOBER, 5. MEASURE OF TIME, 6. GRAND ALLIANCE & 7. RUN FOR OSCAR

 

5TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple – 1. THE GOOD MAN & 2. SOBER
S1-6: Multiple – 3. RUSSIAN TWIST & 1. FULL FLOW

 

2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-5:   
Banker – 1. THE GOOD MAN
Selections – 2. SOBER, 5. MEASURE OF TIME, 6. GRAND ALLIANCE & 7. RUN FOR OSCAR
S1-6:   
Banker – 3. RUSSIAN TWIST
Selections – 1. FULL FLOW, 5. ESTCOURT, 7. NIGHTDANCE MAN & 9. DREAM IN NORMANDY

 

S1-6     Class 3 Handicap

 

RUSSIAN TWIST has won four consecutive races this season over 2,600m, 3,000m and 3,100m. Though he steps down in trip for this, his seasonal reappearance was over this course and distance, where he was beaten by just a short-neck. He has the speed to excel at this trip once again and has improved this year, so should be in with a chance. 

 

Top-rated FULL FLOW has been consistent this season, placing twice from five runs. Her last win was over the same distance as this race, and the steady going on the polytrack surface may be an advantage. Having had a decent break since her last run, she should be well prepared for another good performance here. 

 

Veteran ESTCOURT, 8YO gelding by OASIS DREAM, has been running consistently well this season, with a win and two places from four starts. He is well proven over the distance and, while he steps back up in class here, he can be competitive once again. Age is not standing in his way at present, and he should run well. 

 

NIGHTDANCE MAN has performed best over 2,500m and 2,400m this season, placing over this course and distance back in January. Although disappointing at Compiegne three starts ago, he has hit a good patch of form since, placing second twice over 2,400m on turf. Having run well on the Polytrack before, he should be able to run to his best here and be in the shakeup. 

 

DREAM IN NORMANDY has an excellent record over this course and distance this season, having won twice in the same conditions and placed in between. A drop back down to his best distance here should see him run well. Although now a 7YO, this has been his best season to date, more improvement may come. 

 

SELECTIONS: 3. RUSSIAN TWIST, 1. FULL FLOW, 5. ESTCOURT, 7. NIGHTDANCE MAN & 9. DREAM IN NORMANDY

 

6TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-6: Multiple – 3. RUSSIAN TWIST & 1. FULL FLOW
S1-7: Multiple – 5. MARSHALL LESSING & 1. BARC

 

TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-6: Multiple – 3. RUSSIAN TWIST, 1. FULL FLOW & 5. ESTCOURT
S1-7: Multiple – 5. MARSHALL LESSING, 1. BARC & 3. ISHRAQ
S1-8: Multiple – 5. CUBA LIBRE, 1. ROIS DEMAIN & 8. DREAM AGAIN

 

S1-7     Class 3 Handicap

 

MARSHALL LESSING is in the form of his life and he should complete a hat-trick of wins in this 2,500m handicap. He swooped late from off the pace to win over 3,100m at Pornichet in February before following up with a battling victory over 2,600m at Morlaix three months later. This will be his first run since that success in May, but he does seem at his best when returning from a break.

 

BARC was twice a runner-up at ParisLongchamp earlier in the season. He was only passed close home by VALENTINO over 2,150m in April before running another solid race when second behind MAT LA FRISTOUILLE over 2,500m the following month. That’s good form in the context of this weaker race. He hasn’t been at his best in three subsequent starts but his sixth over 1,900m – a distance short of his best – at Deauville two weeks ago was a step in the right direction.

 

ISHRAQ was successful over 2,100m at Chantilly in April. That race worked out well and he returned to form following a couple of below-par efforts when runner-up behind CANNELLO over 2,500m at Saint-Malo two weeks ago. The winner had also landed his previous start and the third-home CONCERTO went on to win his next start, so the form looks very solid. He seems to appreciate this 2,500m distance these days.

 

CHIQUITA PICONERA has only had four races, so she is open to loads of improvement. She overcame her inexperience to win over 2,700m on Chantilly’s polytrack in April. Although she was well beaten on her return from a four-month break at Deauville two weeks ago, the 1,900m distance would have been way too short for her and she should be sharper for that run.

 

LIBRE would have a chance on his best form. He won twice over 2,500m at Deauville early last year and he went on to make it three wins from four starts when successful over 2,700m at Chantilly. That does seem a long time ago and his record has been very mixed since, but he did win over 3,200m at Croise-Laroche in May. His three subsequent runs have not been as good, but he is rather inconsistent and couldn’t be ruled out of calculations if in the right mood.

 

SELECTIONS: 5. MARSHALL LESSING, 1. BARC, 3. ISHRAQ, 2. CHIQUITA PICONERA & 7. LIBRE

 

7TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S1-7: Multiple – 5. MARSHALL LESSING & 1. BARC
S1-8: Multiple – 5. CUBA LIBRE & 1. ROIS DEMAIN

 

S1-8     Class 4 Handicap

 

In this final handicap of the day, it is hard to see past ROIS DEMAIN even though he is carrying top weight and wasn’t anywhere near competitive when he ran only a week ago in a Class 4 Handicap over 2,500m on the polytrack at Deauville. Quick behind the leaders, he was going well until the final 300m and faded in the closing stages. A change in jockey suggests that the trainer maybe had different expectations that day. It has to be said that he had won two consecutive handicaps over 2,100m and 2,700m before arriving at Deauville, and with Theo Bachelot it will be interesting to see if he can recapture the form he should at the beginning of the summer.

 

The supplemented DREAM AGAIN is still a maiden in 20 starts and while she will once more be an outsider in this handicap, it might just be the day that she will finally get herself onto the podium. Over the last 12 months, she has slowly come down in the handicap mark and was only beaten a short neck in a 2,250m handicap at ParisLongchamp at the beginning of July. She then ran off the same handicap mark in a Class 4 Handicap where she produced a good performance to finish fourth. She could spring a surprise here. 

 

WUKOLINA has not been very successful on the polytrack in the past, but there is no doubt that she is in great form. A winner of a claiming race over 2,250m at Montauban in June, she has also been the runner-up in a 2,400m handicap at Clairefontaine, where she took the lead with 400m to go and only conceded victory in the final stride. If she can transfer her turf form on the polytrack where she so far has failed to make any kind of impression, she could go very close here.

 

Champion jockey Maxime Guyon has been booked to take the ride on the 8YO CUBA LIBRE who enjoyed a great start to the season, winning a 2,400m handicap at Nantes in April, as well as finishing second in another 2,400m handicap at Nantes before just missing out by a neck in a 3,000m handicap at Le Lion D'angers. His last start on the polytrack at Chantilly over 2,700m didn’t work out, but he has been given a good draw in stall number three and should be very competitive.

 

RUE DAUPHINE was unable to make the most of her low weight in a 2,400m handicap at Clairefontaine on her last start. Her jockey Delphine Santiago is in a purple patch of form and will give her every chance of producing a good performance. 

 

SELECTIONS: 5. CUBA LIBRE, 1. ROIS DEMAIN, 8. DREAM AGAIN, 10. RUE DAUPHINE & 3. WUKOLINA

 

 

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