 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 du Jockey Club (S4-1) (Bill Esdaile)
S4-1 Prix du Jockey Club
French maestro Andre Fabre has trained four winners of this race and will saddle FIRST LOOK, ALCANTOR and SOSIE in this year’s event. ALCANTOR might be the highest rated horse in this race, but it is his stable companion SOSIE who looks like he is the best suited for the trip. Runner-up in a 1,800m Listed race over this course last year, he won a Class 1 contest over 2,150m from ARROW EAGLE on his seasonal reappearance at the end of April and while this is a big step up in class, he could spring a surprise.
FAST TRACKER looks more than capable of landing his new connections a first Classic in France. Trained by Henri-Alex Pantall, his first racecourse appearance at Cagnes-sur-Mer over 1,500m was not particularly impressive, but he has matured beyond recognition since then. In fact, his impressive seven-length victory over DOLLAR INDEX in the 2,000m Listed Prix de Suresnes suggests that he could well be France’s next 3YO champion.
Classic form should never be underestimated, so GHOSTWRITER must be a serious contender here. Fourth in the G1 2000 Guineas over 1,600m at Newmarket, where the form has worked out well, the Clive Cox-trained colt comes to France in great shape. He too will appreciate stepping up in trip and should go well if handling the soft ground.
Aidan O’Brien saddles DIEGO VELAZQUEZ, who ran a respectable fourth in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains over 1,600m, where the ground turned against him. He showed in last season’s G1 Futurity Trophy Stakes over 1,600m that he didn’t appreciate heavy ground and his connections will be hoping that the rain stays away from Chantilly. He has been crying out for the longer trip and like most of the horses coming from Ballydoyle this season, he should improve from that first run.
The David Menuisier-trained SUNWAY is the only G1 winner in the line-up of the G1 Prix du Jockey Club over 2,100m at Chantilly this Sunday. He won the G1 Criterium International over 1,600m at Saint-Cloud on his final start last season but struggled on his seasonal reappearance in the G3 Prix la Force over 1,800m, which admittedly took place in heavy ground. He was well beaten by ATLAST, MONDO MAN and FIRST LOOK and looked more at ease when stepped up in trip in the G3 Prix Greffulhe over 2,100m. Soft ground and the middle-distance trip seem to suit him better, and a G1 winner should never be ignored, but there are some improving horses in this field.
SELECTIONS: 15. SOSIE, 13. FAST TRACKER, 10. GHOSTWRITER, 11. DIEGO VELAZQUEZ & 7. SUNWAY
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