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 Moulin de Longchamp Day (S2) (Bill Esdaile)

 

S2-1     Class 2 Handicap

 

After suffering a poor end of 2022, EVERILLO has responded favourably to being stepped up in trip and should run well in this 2,400m Class 2 Handicap. A convincing winner over 2,000m at Deauville, he is down in the weights, and in soft ground he should once more be very competitive.

 

German raiders are not a novelty in French handicaps. NORTH HUNTER is the German raider who has found a new spring in his step since joining the yard of Erika Mader this year. He has been campaigned exclusively in France and has been stepped up to handicap company since July. He was last seen finishing second to BEMER in a 2,000m handicap at Deauville. He shouldn’t be far away.

 

PANJAMAN has won similar handicaps in the past. He was the winner of a 2,400m handicap at Saint-Cloud last year and was even tried at G3 level against the likes of G1 winner IRESINE and top stayer SKAZINO, albeit with no success. He has struggled to find his form this season, but there have been valid excuses for his poor runs in a 2,400m handicap at Chantilly and on his last start in a 2,000m handicap at Deauville. The handicappers have since dropped him in the weights and it would be no surprise if he ran well here.

 

The well-bred OFFICER OF STATE is making his first appearance in a handicap. Trained by Andre Fabre for Godolphin, he only ran three times as a 2YO, with his most noticeable performance being a second place to 2022 G1 Prix du Jockey Club winner VADENI in a 1,600m Listed race. His last start over the Listed 3,000m didn’t bring much joy but he is correctly placed in the weights and could find himself in the right category this time.

 

Carmen Bocskai-trained UTAMARO is another German raider who has spent more time in France than his home country. A very consistent handicapper over trips ranging from 2400m to 2800m, he hasn’t won since lifting a 2,500m handicap at ParisLongchamp last year. His best performance this year came in June when he was the runner-up to ROCK JOYEUX in a 2,800m Class 2 handicap at Compiegne. He looks certain to once more play his part in the finish.

 

SELECTIONS: 14. NORTH HUNTER, 5. EVERILLO, 12. PANJAMAN, 2. OFFICER OF STATE & 3. UTAMARO

 

1ST DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-1: Multiple – 14. NORTH HUNTER & 5. EVERILLO
S2-2: Multiple – 6. BIG ROCK & 4. FACTEUR CHEVAL

 

1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S2-1:   
Banker – 14. NORTH HUNTER
Selections – 5. EVERILLO, 12. PANJAMAN, 2. OFFICER OF STATE & 3. UTAMARO
S2-2:   
Banker – 6. BIG ROCK
Selections – 4. FACTEUR CHEVAL, 7. SAUTERNE, 1. EREVANN & 2. FAST RAAJ

 

S2-2     Prix du Moulin de Longchamp

 

BIG ROCK has gone close in G1 races on his last two starts and he looks ready to secure his first top-level victory in the 1,600m Prix du Moulin de Longchamp. Christopher Head’s star 3YO only found ACE IMPACT too good when clear runner-up in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club over 2,100m at Chantilly in June. He again went from the front when second behind top filly INSPIRAL in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois over 1,600m at Deauville last month. Those were excellent efforts against quality rivals and he sets the standard in this race.

 

FACTEUR CHEVAL has yet to get his head in front this season, but he has come up against some smart opposition. He was only beaten a head when third behind ANMAAT in the G1 Prix d’Ispahan over 1,850m at ParisLongchamp in May. His second behind top-class 3YO PADDINGTON in the G1 Sussex Stakes over 1,600m at Goodwood in Britain was even better, especially as he didn’t get a clear run. He has plenty of class.

 

SAUTERNE has been consistent since stepping up to the top level. She finished third in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches over this course and distance in May and ran two solid races in G1 contests over 1,400m and 1,600m at Deauville in July. She faces competition for the lead but she is in good form.

 

EREVANN found the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois over 1,600m a bit too tough when finishing in midfield behind INSPIRAL at Deauville three weeks ago. That was a little disappointing as he had finished third, beaten just half a length, behind the same filly in the same race last year. He likes to come from off the pace, as he showed when landing the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein over the same course and distance as this race last October. The likely solid pace will help.

 

FAST RAAJ has won his last two races in France. Things didn’t go to plan in Dubai earlier in the year, but he has been in great form, winning twice, since returning from a break. The step up to 1,600m distance has also helped.

 

SELECTIONS: 6. BIG ROCK, 4. FACTEUR CHEVAL, 7. SAUTERNE, 1. EREVANN & 2. FAST RAAJ

 

2ND DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-2: Multiple – 6. BIG ROCK & 4. FACTEUR CHEVAL
S2-3: Multiple – 5. ALESSIO & 9. LORD CHARMING

 

S2-3     La Coupe de Maisons-Laffitte

 

After nearly a year’s absence from the racecourse, the Andre Fabre-trained TRUE TESTAMENT was highly disappointing when he returned in the 2,500m Prix de Reux at Deauville in August. He showed little when he was tailed off after making a half-hearted attempt to quicken in the final 200m of the race. The very soft ground might not have suited him that day, and he might have needed the run, but it is difficult to trust him completely for this 2000m G3 event.

 

The German raider LORD CHARMING, on the other hand, has been in great form this season. Trained by Peter Schiergen, the son of CHARM SPIRIT has been knocking on the door at G3 level for over a year now, finishing in the first three over 2,000m on two occasions and in the first five on his other four attempts at this level. A winner on his first start in a 1,800m race at Hamburg in June, he was only beaten a head on his next outing in a 1,800m Listed event at Clairefontaine.

 

ALESSIO, who is trained in Germany, also makes the trip to Paris. He is hoping to find better ground than last time at Deauville, where he still produced a very good performance in the 2,500m Prix de Reux, even though he was unable to deploy his turn of foot in the very soft conditions. Sixth in the Deutsches Derby last year, like TRUE TESTAMENT he also had nearly a year off, but unlike the Andre Fabre-trained contender, he won on his first start of the season at Saint-Cloud over 2,000m. In good to soft ground, the lightly raced son of TEOFILO must be respected.

 

Apart from finishing midfield in a 2,250m Class 2 handicap at ParisLongchamp in April, the Aga Khan-owned gelding SHAHZAD doesn’t know how to run a bad race. Runner-up in a 2,000m Listed contest at Compiegne, where he lost the race in the final stride, he has already beaten CHANCELLERY and looks ready for this step up in class.

 

The Andreas Suborics-trained BEMER is facing a stiff task here but could spring a surprise. A runner-up on his seasonal reappearance in July at ParisLongchamp over 2,000m, he then won a valuable 2,000m handicap at Deauville in great style from NORTH HUNTER. He needs to have improved even further if he wants to take this competitive race, but he looks to be on the right path.

 

SELECTIONS: 5. ALESSIO, 9. LORD CHARMING, 4. TRUE TESTAMENT, 2. SHAHZAD & 3. BEMER

 

3RD DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-3: Multiple – 5. ALESSIO & 9. LORD CHARMING
S2-4: Multiple – 7. ROSETTA STONE & 8. JUST LIGHT

 

2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S2-3:   
Banker – 5. ALESSIO
Selections – 9. LORD CHARMING, 4. TRUE TESTAMENT, 2. SHAHZAD & 3. BEMER
S2-4:   
Banker – 7. ROSETTA STONE
Selections – 8. JUST LIGHT, 5. SAAM, 10. ARTURO & 6. PROMETEO

 

S2-4     Class 3 Handicap

 

This looks a typically competitive big field handicap over 2,400m.

 

ROSETTA STONE comes here in good form having finished a narrow second over 2,500m on the polytrack at Deauville last month. Nicolas Clement’s 4YO gelding finished strongly down the centre of the track and just lost out in a bunched finish. Before that ROSETTA STONE had finished third at Dieppe over 1,800m and won at Deauville over 2,500m, both under Stephane Pasquier, who now reassumes the partnership.

 

JUST LIGHT finished fifth behind ROSETTA STONE at Deauville last month, but there was less than a length between them at the line. He was positioned off the pace and stayed on strongly, so it was a very likable effort considering it was his first run since February. Alain Couetil’s runner may appreciate more of a test of stamina than this 2,400m, but he has won over this trip in the past and if his last start has brought him forward, then he should go close once again.

 

SAAM brings winning form into this, having landed a 2,500m handicap on turf at Deauville when last seen. That win had been coming for some time, as prior to that he had finished second at ParisLongchamp over 2,250m and third at Chantilly over 2,400m. While this 7YO looked strong at the finish last time out, when battling back to get up narrowly, having pulled several lengths clear alongside the runner up, he may struggle to back up that win.

 

ARTURO’s one victory to date came over this trip earlier in the year at Cagnes-Sur-Mer. Last time out at Vichy over 2,400m he shaped nicely when staying on from the back of the field to snatch third at the finish. A stronger pace would have suited him better and he may get that in this bigger field, so on the evidence of last time he looks set to go well.

 

The least exposed runner in the field is Francis-Henri Graffard’s PROMETEO, who has won twice from just seven starts. Both wins were in 2021, including a maiden at Chantilly over 1,800m and a handicap over 2,100m at the same track, then he missed all of last season. He finished down the field in two competitive handicaps in Apr 2023, but it’s far too soon to give up on him.

 

SELECTIONS: 7. ROSETTA STONE, 8. JUST LIGHT, 5. SAAM, 10. ARTURO & 6. PROMETEO

 

4TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-4: Multiple – 7. ROSETTA STONE & 8. JUST LIGHT
S2-5: Multiple – 1. RIYAK & 5. ICATU

 

TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S2-4: Multiple – 7. ROSETTA STONE, 8. JUST LIGHT & 5. SAAM
S2-5: Multiple – 1. RIYAK, 5. ICATU & 9. PRAIRIE GLORY
S2-6: Multiple – 5. BECH RIVER, 6. BLACK MORNING & 4. DIWAN SENORA

 

S2-5     Class 3 Handicap

 

Perhaps the best form line is the race won by RIYAK last month at Clairefontaine over 1,800m. Ralf Rohne’s runner picked up well in the closing stages and looked to win with something in hand, with PRAIRIE GLORY and ICATU finishing behind him in third and fourth. That was only his second win from 37 starts, but this 5YO now looks to be hitting a rich vein of form, having finished second the time before at Deauville over 1,900m. On the evidence of last time, he could have enough in hand to once again account for his reopposing rivals.

 

ICATU is of interest as a lightly raced gelding that still looks to be improving. Since stepping into handicap company, he has won once, at Compiegne over 1,800m, and placed third at ParisLongchamp over 1,800m, before finishing fourth at Clairefontaine last time. He was well positioned at Clairefontaine but couldn’t quite quicken up when the pace lifted and kept on at one pace for fourth. With a stronger pace to aim he would have a good chance and looks likely to play a hand in the finish.

 

PRAIRIE GLORY has also won one of his seven starts to date. That victory came over 2,000m at Compiegne back in June, and he has since finished seventh in a stronger ParisLongchamp handicap over 1,850m before running well for third at Clairefontaine . He hit the front last time out but was run down by RIYAK at the finish and it may be that Marian Weissmeier’s runner needs a greater stamina test to be seen to best effect.

 

DOMAGNANO is a consistent horse at this level, having won four Class 3 handicaps in the past. However, all those wins have come over shorter trips. Last time out he looked to stay on well enough when missing out by the narrowest of margins at Deauville over 1,600m under Cristian Demuro to warrant trying this trip.

 

WHEEL OF CHANCE is another stepping up in trip after finishing fourth over 1,600m at Vichy last time out. This 6YO has won over trips of 1,600m to 2,000m in the past, so is proven at this distance, and should run well in the hands of Mickael Barzalona.

 

SELECTIONS: 1. RIYAK, 5. ICATU, 9. PRAIRIE GLORY, 2. DOMAGNANO & 10. WHEEL OF CHANCE

 

5TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-5: Multiple – 1. RIYAK & 5. ICATU
S2-6: Multiple – 5. BECH RIVER & 6. BLACK MORNING

 

S2-6     Class 3 Handicap

 

Supplemented for this 1,800m contest and with Maxime Guyon booked, LA WOOD is one for the shortlist. The 7YO mare won a 2,000m Class 3 handicap at ParisLongchamp three starts ago, form which has been franked by the fourth that day going on to win the next start. She has raced just once before over this 1,800m distance, when looking slightly outpaced when positioned towards the rear of the field coming into the home straight in a Class 3 handicap at Fontainebleau. She stayed on well to finish eighth that day but could be more effective under a positive ride.

 

BLACK MORNING brings a solid level of form to the table, having won a Class 4 handicap over 2,100m in July and then twice being placed over 2,000m. She was disappointing on her most recent start over 1,800m at Clairefontaine, but didn’t appear to enjoy the long sweeping right-hand bend.

 

BECH RIVER has been the most consistent performer in the field of late, with two wins and three seconds from his last five starts. Both of those successes came over 1,800m trip, including at ParisLongchamp four starts ago, and this looks his ideal distance. He is now running off his highest mark in over a year, so will have to take another step forward, but arrives here in good form and should feature.

 

DIWAN SENORA, supplemented to make his 84th career start at 10YO, certainly isn’t getting any younger but does appear to retain some ability. Having won twice last season, as well as picking up prize money on three other occasions in 2022, the son of YOUMZAIN is yet to get his head in front from seven starts this term. His latest effort at Deauville came over 1,500m which would be on the sharp side for him, so this step back up to 1,800m is a positive. If he can repeat his run when sixth of 16 over 1,800m at this track three starts ago, then he could challenge for the places.

 

SELECTIONS: 5. BECH RIVER, 6. BLACK MORNING, 4. DIWAN SENORA & 1. LA WOOD

 

 

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