 Tim Carroll 's Bio | |
|---|---|
| Tim started off as a jockey in Australia before pursuing a media career. He is a highly experienced and respected racing presenter who has been based in England since 2005. Tim has travelled the world covering many of the major meetings, including Royal Ascot, The Epsom Derby, The International meeting from Sha Tin, The Dubai World Cup, The Everest, The Saudi Cup and The Breeders. He is currently a presenter for Sky Sports Racing, specialising in both the local and international scene. Tim is a regular contributor to the At The Races Website where his twice weekly tipping column on Hong Kong racing has gathered a strong following. | |
ParisLongchamp Racecourse – Track Analysis (Prix d'Ispahan):
ParisLongchamp, where holds more than half of the G1 races contested in France, is an interlaced right-handed track with five different combinations, including three circular tracks, large (2750m), medium (2500m), small (2150m), a straight course (1000m), and there is also a chute which begins at the furthest point away from the stands on the right hand side, this is known as the ‘new track’ (1400m). The chute joins the large circular main course before taking in both the false and main straight. The track does go up and down with the highest point (back of the course on the right-hand side) – the “Boulogne” section, where horses indeed “disappear” briefly from the grandstand into the woods – being nearly 30 metres above the lowest point (bottom of the course right-hand side).
All three circular courses join the main straight, with two winning posts in use, depending on the race distance. The straight-course dissects the large and medium circular tracks before joining the back straight of the small circular track in the centre of the course. They run the straight races right to left as viewed, the same as they do at Sha Tin over 1000m.
The G1 Prix d'Ispahan is over 1850m. The start is from the far side of the course opposite the main grandstand on the Grande (large) round course. On leaving the barriers they have a straight, but uphill run of nearly 400m before arriving at the highest point of the track near the 1400m chute (New track) whilst turning onto the sweeping home bend. This leads onto the false straight then onto the home straight for the uphill run home. There is no evidence of barrier bias over this trip and horses seem to be able to win from anywhere.
Last year’s Prix d’Ispahan was run on Good to Soft ground with a field of six going to post. On leaving the stalls LIGHT INFANTRY MAN took up the running with BUCKAROO and JUNKO in close attendance whilst the favourite, ANMAAT, along with FACTEUR CHEVAL & EREVANN were waited behind the leaders. LIGHT INFANTRY MAN ensured the race was run at a solid gallop which saw no change in the race until they came into the home straight. At this point LIGHT INFANTRY MAN still led with BUCKAROO trying to lay down a challenge, but hard ridden, and ANMAAT was brought to the outside at the back of the field. At the 200m the only runner without a chance was JUNKO, who had backed out of it, but it was ANMAAT who finished the best on the outside to win in a blanket finish, a short neck in front of LIGHT INFANTRY MAN with FACTEUR CHEVAL a nose back in third in a time that was 0.88 seconds faster than standard.
The weather forecast is suggesting a chance of rain up until the Thursday in the lead up to the race but no rain thereafter and sunny days on the weekend. If the forecast is correct, then Good to Soft ground is most likely.
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