 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 Maurice de Gheest Day (S2) (Bill Esdaile)
S2-1 Class 3 Allowance
AL DAAYEN is yet to win since joining A & G Botti, but his last two runs suggest that a 1,900m event like this should be within reach. After being picked up late on in a 2,000m conditions event at ParisLongchamp on his penultimate start, the son of ZELZAL finished strongly when dropped back to 1,800m to fill the same position back at ParisLongchamp last time out. Crucially he finished third over the same course and distance on his debut. That could be a big advantage over what appears to be his optimum trip from a favourable draw in gate 6.
THE WHITE LADY is still very unexposed after just four starts and the drop down in trip looks to be a positive move. Without a victory to her name since making a winning debut in a 1,900m maiden on the polytrack at Chantilly, the daughter of THE GREY GATSBY was only just denied a front running success on her first handicap start in a 2,000m contest at ParisLongchamp. Although faced with a tricky draw in gate 1, the polytrack track here favours those that race more prominently and she could go close if able to dictate matters.
ZARINA arrives in good heart after winning a 1,900m claimer at Chantilly on her last start which was her fifth victory of the year. Most of those successes have been secured in a lower grade, but she has won a 2,000m handicap at Lyon Parilly which suggests she can hold her own outside of claiming races. Being drawn out on the wing in gate 10 might not be ideal, however her prominent style of racing should play to her strengths here.
ATTENTIVE has been well held on her last two starts in 2,100m Listed race at Dusseldorf and a competitive 1,600m handicap at ParisLongchamp, however a return to calmer waters could help her bounce back to form. The switch to the all-weather also looks a positive move for the daughter of AL WUKAIR, who has already registered victories in a 1,700m maiden, and a 2,100m handicap, on an artificial surface at Pornichet this year.
TASHANKA has yet to follow up his victory in a 2,000m all-weather maiden at Marseille on his final start of 2023 in six appearances this year. However, 10-time French champion jockey Christophe Soumillon is an eye-catching booking for the Jerome Andreu-trained SIOUX NATION colt, who could be revived by a return to an artificial surface.
SELECTIONS: 5. AL DAAYEN, 2. THE WHITE LADY, 1. ZARINA, 3. ATTENTIVE & 4. TASHANKA
1ST DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-1: Multiple – 5. AL DAAYEN & 2. THE WHITE LADY
S2-2: Multiple – 1. RAMADAN & 2. DARLINGHURST
S2-2 Prix Daphnis
The Prix Daphnis is a G3 event for 3YOs over 1,600m, open to horses who have yet to win a G1 or G2 this year. It’s a small field race, with only seven runners, but RAMADAN immediately has to be of interest.
Christopher Head’s colt was a winner as a juvenile over this 1,600m trip, before being thought highly enough of to contest a Saint-Cloud G1, where he was a close fourth. This year he’s won a Listed and a G3 race, both over 1,600m, before a fine fifth in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp. He wasn’t beaten far next time in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club over 2,100m, but that distance stretched his stamina, and this 1,600m should suit better.
DARLINGHURST found G1 waters too deep last time at Royal Ascot, but although outclassed still gave a respectable account of himself. Prior to that, Jerome Reynier’s colt had won a G3 over 1,800m, where he beat subsequent G1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up FIRST LOOK by a length. Although he has shown an ability to handle further than 1,600m, he has won over the trip, and should be hard to knock out of the frame.
Another horse with G1 form is SUPERCOOLED. Andre Fabre’s colt won on his debut over 1,500m as 2YO and found the winning groove again on his second start as a 3YO, when a taking winner of a ParisLongchamp 1,600m event. Fabre clearly had lofty ambitions for him, running him next in the G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains, and like RAMADAN, he ran with lots of credit to finish sixth. SUPERCOOLED will need to improve on his second in Listed company next time out, but he could do so and go close.
GHORGAN, trained in Germany, is a lightly raced colt who merits close attention. Andreas Wohler’s colt raced three times as a juvenile, before stepping up markedly in 2024 to place third twice in the Italian and German 2000 Guineas, both over 1,600m. GHORGAN has obvious ability and enough to think he could run well again.
NO LUNCH is an extremely unexposed contender compared to his rivals. Carlos Laffon-Parias’ colt has only raced three times, all over 1,600m, winning once at Saint-Cloud before a commendable third in Listed company next time out. This event represents a notable step up in class, but he’s improving with age, so don’t be surprised if he figures in the closing stages.
SELECTIONS: 1. RAMADAN, 2. DARLINGHURST, 5. SUPERCOOLED, 4. GHORGAN & 6. NO LUNCH
2ND DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-2: Multiple – 1. RAMADAN & 2. DARLINGHURST
S2-3: Multiple – 17. CALAS & 10. ATAKAMA
S2-3 Class 1 Handicap
The weather is unstable in the Normandy region, but the Pia & Joakim Brandt-trained CALAS should be able to handle any ground and is effective over this trip of 1,600m. Last season, he showed himself extremely competitive in conditions races over 1,800m and 1,900m, never finishing outside the podium. At the beginning of this year he was switched to handicaps where he initially proved disappointing. However, brought back to 1,600m in the spring, he flew away with a Class 3 handicap at Saint-Cloud, which he won by five lengths while giving weight away to the runner-up. Since that victory in May, he has been competitive in all of his subsequent starts and is well placed to go well here.
Carlos Laffon-Parias is enjoying a great season in his final year as a trainer and his 4YO filly ATAKAMA, who has been placed in a Listed races, should run well here. She finished third over this course and distance at the beginning of July and while she hasn’t won a race since making her debut, she is not without a chance in this major handicap.
Deauville-based trainer Stephane Wattel is not having the success he usually enjoys at this meeting and many of his horses have run below par. CLIMATE CHANGE, though, seems to be in great form. He won a major handicap at ParisLongchamp last season over the same distance and following a long winter break, was the runner-up on his seasonal reappearance over 1,400m. A winner on his last start over 1,800m in June, he comes here fresh and while he might have recorded most of his good performances in soft ground, he showed at Clairefontaine that he can also handle good ground. The only worry might be that he has never run on a straight course.
Pia & Joakim Brandt are also saddling the 5YO LEV, who comes to Deauville on the back of a Class 2 handicap over 1,800m. He is not the most consistent performer and was heavily penalised by the handicapper for his last win, but should still be competitive.
WE RIDE THE WORLD, on the other hand, is very consistent despite his ripe old age of nine. While he disappointed last time out at Vichy, finishing down the field in a 1,400m handicap, he ran third in this race last year and seeing that he can go in any ground, he could well bounce back.
SELECTIONS: 17. CALAS, 10. ATAKAMA, 6. CLIMATE CHANGE, 12. LEV & 9. WE RIDE THE WORLD
3RD DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-3: Multiple – 17. CALAS & 10. ATAKAMA
S2-4: Multiple – 2. MILL STREAM & 4. SHOULDVEBEENARING
1ST DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S2-3:
Banker – 17. CALAS
Selections – 10. ATAKAMA, 6. CLIMATE CHANGE, 12. LEV & 9. WE RIDE THE WORLD
S2-4:
Banker – 2. MILL STREAM
Selections – 4. SHOULDVEBEENARING, 5. KING GOLD, 11. PUCHKINE & 10. LAZZAT
S2-4 Prix Maurice de Gheest
The G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, run over 1,300m, marks the only G1 race of the day and is open to horses aged 3YO or older.
4YO colt, MILL STREAM, travels to Deauville for Suffolk-based handler Jane Chapple-Hyam following an impressive win in the G1 July Cup Stakes over 1,200m at Newmarket July Course last month. Following his wind surgery at the end of last year, MILL STREAM has been in immaculate form, winning twice and twice finding the places in all four Group races and he should relish the extra distance over this trip. This colt brings among the best form into this race and has strong claims.
SHOULDVEBEENARING represents British trainer Richard Hannon. Prior to winning the G3 Prix de Ris-
Orangis over 1,200m at Deauville, he appeared in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes over 1,200m at Royal Ascot, finishing six places behind MILL STREAM. Although not his finest run, he had more to give, and the extra 100m here could work well in his favour and enable him to run into the frame.
Last year’s winner, KING GOLD, comes back in a bid to retain his title at the age of seven. Earlier this year, he ran in a couple of Group races in Dubai and Saudi Arabia with little success, but on his seasonal reappearance at ParisLongchamp in June, he showed up and won the G3 Prix de la Porte Maillot over 1,400m. Unraced since then, the son of ANODIN comes here fresh off more than a month layoff which was a similar story to last year. Although one of the older horses in the field, he is a proven winner in this race so is worth keeping an eye on.
PUCHKINE was a surprising winner of the G1 Prix Jean Prat over 1,400m around this track last time out for French trainer Jean-Claude Rouget. That was a deep race for the 3YO, and any improvement for that run here would make him a real contender. Since dropping back in trip, the STARSPANGLEDBANNER colt has looked dangerous in Group company and looks a nice type for this race.
Our last selection is the unbeaten LAZZAT, for trainer Jerome Reynier. Since winning a Listed race in February, he’s picked up two G3 wins over 1,400m and steps up here into G1 company for the first time. Judging by his form, the trip and ground won’t be an issue, so he could be one to challenge the more experienced horses in the line-up.
SELECTIONS: 2. MILL STREAM, 4. SHOULDVEBEENARING, 5. KING GOLD, 11. PUCHKINE & 10. LAZZAT
4TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-4: Multiple – 2. MILL STREAM & 4. SHOULDVEBEENARING
S2-5: Multiple – 10. NO HALF MEASURES & 8. SHAMROCK GLITTER
S2-5 Prix Moonlight Cloud
This is a competitive 1,200m Listed contest for runners who have not won a group race this year.
In-form British raider NO HALF MEASURES has earned this step up in grade. She showed plenty of speed when finishing third in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes over 1,000m at Royal Ascot in June, leading 200m out before fading in the final few strides. The Richard Hughes-trained filly then produced an even better performance when decisively winning a handicap over 1,000m at Newmarket July Course. This longer distance is no concern for NO HALF MEASURES as she won twice over 1,200m earlier this year and Oisin Murphy is a positive jockey booking.
Consistent SHAMROCK GLITTER has never been out of the first three in six starts which included a third place at Meydan in Dubai in February. Since returning to France, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained colt has been dropped down in distance. He first showed great resolution in the final stages to land a 1,400m race at ParisLongchamp before being a close second in the Listed Prix Kistena over 1,200m here at Deauville last month. SHAMROCK GLITTER showed he had the speed for the shorter trip, travelling smoothly during the early stages before launching a run which was too good for all but winner JAMES’S DELIGHT. Behind SHAMROCK GLITTER that day in third was GRAND GREY with TEN HORNS, who finished strongly to make him one for the shortlist here, fourth, JASNA’S SECRET sixth and FLERS seventh.
The performance in that race of JASNA’S SECRET was her only defeat in three career runs at Deauville. The performance was below what the filly, who was tried in G1 company last year when unplaced in the Cheveley Park Stakes over 1,200m at Newmarket, had previously achieved, particularly when winning the Listed Prix Marchand D’Or over 1,200m at Chantilly last month.
TALENTUOSO, a winner on debut at Saint-Cloud over 1,300m last September, hasn’t run since finishing third on seasonal debut in a Listed race over 1,400m at ParisLongchamp in April but Christophe Soumillon’s mount has scope to improve on what he has so far achieved.
SELECTIONS: 10. NO HALF MEASURES, 8. SHAMROCK GLITTER, 1. JASNA’S SECRET, 3. TEN HORNS & 2. TALENTUOSO
5TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-5: Multiple – 10. NO HALF MEASURES & 8. SHAMROCK GLITTER
S2-6: Multiple – 4. MGHEERA & 10. BRADSELL
S2-6 Prix du Cercle
For many of the 12 runners, the Listed 1,000m Prix du Cercle is a renewal of the Listed Prix Hampton, which was run over the same distance at Chantilly at the end of June. That race was won in great style by MGHEERA, who after waiting patiently at the back, just flew by her opponents to win over two lengths from BATWAN. The 4YO filly had also been runner-up in the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene over 1,000m at Chantilly at the beginning of June and seems to improve with each start, regardless of ground conditions.
The Nicolas Caullery-trained BATWAN, who had also come from behind in the Listed Prix Hampton and was maybe slightly unlucky in running, produced a good turn of foot in the final 200m to finish second. He always runs well at Deauville and following a fourth place behind three British raiders in the G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis over 1,200m at the beginning of July, where they all finished in a heap, he must once more be considered in the mix.
Talking about British raiders, they are as always omnipresent. Lambourn-based trainer Archie Watson is a regular visitor to the Normandy coast and this time will bring over the 4YO BRADSELL, who hasn’t run since finishing seventh in the G1 Flying Five Stakes over 1,000m at the Curragh last September. This is obviously a long absence and a first foray back into competition for the now 4YO, but if he has retained the class he showed as a 3YO when he won the G1 King’s Stand Stakes over 1,000m it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him on the podium.
Chantilly-based trainer Christophe Ferland has always spoken highly of TAZARA who had been beaten by the draw on her start in a 1,200m Listed race at Chelmsford and had no luck in running when she ran in a 1,000m handicap at Royal Ascot. After a little break and back at Deauville where she won a 1,200m maiden in April, she could bounce back to her best form, especially since as a 3YO, she benefits from an important weight allowance.
LESSLEPASSER has been looking for black type this season and while a G2 over 1,000m was a step too far, he did finish third in the Listed Prix Hampton over 1,000m at Chantilly on his last start. He couldn’t get to the winner MGHEERA, but only a short head separated him from runner-up BATWAN, with PRADARO a neck behind and another place in a black type race would not be a surprise.
SELECTIONS: 4. MGHEERA, 10. BRADSELL, 3. BATWAN, 8. LESSLEPASSER & 11. TAZARA
6TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-6: Multiple – 4. MGHEERA & 10. BRADSELL
S2-7: Multiple – 12. CHUBASCO & 16. HARRISON POINT
2ND DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S2-6:
Banker – 4. MGHEERA
Selections – 10. BRADSELL, 3. BATWAN, 8. LESSLEPASSER & 11. TAZARA
S2-7:
Banker – 12. CHUBASCO
Selections – 16. HARRISON POINT, 15. DARK ZEL, 5. SWEEP AWAY, 8. CAPTAIN DE CERISY
S2-7 Class 3 Handicap
This is a competitive 1,900m Class 3 handicap on Deauville’s polytrack.
A key form line to this contest may be the race run over this course and distance early last month, where CHUBASCO got the better of HARRISON POINT in a driving finish. CHUBASCO was winning for a fourth time at Class 3 level and it’s interesting that three of those four successes have come over 1,900m at Deauville. Christophe Lotoux’s 7YO is consistent at this level and clearly relishes this track. His win last time came off the back of a short break and there may be more to come now, with Mickael Barzalona retaining the ride.
HARRISON POINT is more lightly raced than CHUBASCO. However, he looked to have a clearer run through the race on their last start and had every chance if good enough. He has won over this trip and in this class before, so there’s every reason to think he can go close again, but he may struggle to reverse form with CHUBASCO.
DARK ZEL has only won one of his 20 starts to date, but that came over this 1,900m at Deauville in February. He finished down the field in three races between that win and his most recent start, which came off the back of a break, when he ran fourth at Clairefontaine over 1,600m. His rider made plenty of use of him there and he looked like the winner 100m out, only to be run down close to the line. That may well have acted as a prep run for this contest, and the form was given a boost recently with the third placed horse winning since. Back over this more suitable trip, DARK ZEL looks a player.
SWEEP AWAY is the least exposed horse in the field. A & G Botti’s runner returned from a three-month break when finishing down the field at Compiegne over 2,000m last time. If that run has brought him forward, he will play a more significant role here under Ioritz Mendizabal.
CAPTAIN DE CERISY, the mount of Maxime Guyon, is a consistent performer at this level, winning twice at Class 3 level in the past, including over this course and distance. He’ll have to improve on a fifth at Chantilly over 1,800m last time but should have a good chance of finding the places.
SELECTIONS: 12. CHUBASCO, 16. HARRISON POINT, 15. DARK ZEL, 5. SWEEP AWAY, 8. CAPTAIN DE CERISY
7TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-7: Multiple – 12. CHUBASCO & 16. HARRISON POINT
S2-8: Multiple – 8. EXCITING & 12. FOREVER COCO
TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S2-7: Multiple – 12. CHUBASCO, 16. HARRISON POINT & 15. DARK ZEL
S2-8: Multiple – 8. EXCITING, 12. FOREVER COCO & 11. LOUGHCREW
S2-9: Multiple – 6. OSER, 2. VESINABA & 3. SOHO VICKY
S2-8 Class 3 Handicap
EXCITING has become well treated ahead of this 1,900m handicap on Deauville’s all-weather track. He isn’t the most prolific winner but his last win did come over this course and distance. That was back in 2022 but he has come a long way down the weights and there were clear signs on his most recent run at Clairefontaine in June that he was returning to form. Caught a little wider than ideal, he took time to settle over the 1,800m distance but he found plenty in the closing stages to finish a close third behind an in-form rival. The return to the polytrack should help.
FOREVER COCO travelled well and found enough in a blanket finish to land a 1,800m Clairefontaine handicap in June. She showed a good change of pace to squeeze up the rail and she was brave in a driving finish to hold off reliable EAGLEHAWK and subsequent scorer JOYCE GALESTE. Her 1,800m Chantilly handicap victory last year came on the polytrack, so she won’t have any issue switching from turf.
LOUGHCREW was only overhauled in the closing stages having set a decent pace over 2,000m on turf at Compiegne last month. That was his best run since joining trainer Nicolas Caullery, having started life with Andre Fabre in the blue Godolphin colours before losing his way. Prominent tactics could be the key to him and he will give it a good go from the front.
BY THE WAY plugged on for a creditable second over 1,950m at Chateaubriant last month. That was a return to form and he will appreciate the return to the all-weather. All four of his wins came on the artificial surfaces at Cagnes-Sur-Mer over 2,000m and he has several good efforts at this track to his name.
IPPLING wasn’t suited by the way the race was run over this course and distance last month. The race developed into a sprint down the straight after a sedate early pace and it just didn’t play to his strengths. He showed his liking for the all-weather when landing a hat-trick of wins at Pornichet during the winter months. Two of those victories came over 2,100m but he was also successful over 1,700m. He has the speed for this distance and he should get a decent pace to aim at.
SELECTIONS: 8. EXCITING, 12. FOREVER COCO, 11. LOUGHCREW, 7. BY THE WAY & 3. IPPLING
8TH DOUBLE SELECTIONS (4 unit bets):
S2-8: Multiple – 8. EXCITING & 12. FOREVER COCO
S2-9: Multiple – 6. OSER & 2. VESINABA
S2-9 Class 4 Handicap
In this very open handicap over 1,900m on the polytrack at Deauville, OSER should finally make it back onto the podium. The 7YO mare has not won a race since February last year, but she always runs well at Deauville and particularly on the polytrack track. In fact, the last race she won was at Deauville and she was only beaten a neck when finishing third on her last start over the same course and distance.
The 8YO VESINABA is not the most consistent performer but on a good day he is more than capable of winning this type of handicap. He won a handicap off a slightly lower mark at the beginning of the season in Chantilly but a second place in May, again at Chantilly over the same distance, proved that he could also run well off a higher handicap mark. Running on the turf last time out at Vittel over 2,100m was not really his cup of tea and he will be happy to return to this surface.
SOHO VICKY has put in some very good performances recently. She was the runner-up in a 2,100m handicap at ParisLongchamp before winning a 1,800m handicap at Compiegne at the beginning of June. It could be argued that she actually prefers running on turf, as all of her last three starts were on that surface, but her sixth place behind HARRISON POINT on the polytrack at Chantilly over 1,900m in April indicates that she should be in the mix in this race.
An interesting runner in this contest is JANISA BERE. Following a very successful 2023 season where she was placed in five of her six starts, she was then absent from the racecourse for six months. Since her return in June this year, when she was the runner-up in a 2,000m handicap at Lion D’Angers, her form has dropped and she was last seen in a 2,000m Claiming race at Compiegne where she made no impression. However, on this track she could bounce back and it wouldn’t be such a surprise to see her finding her form again, at least for a place.
The 8YO mare LOVELY MISS has not run for five months, but did win a 1,900m handicap on this track in January. She had another start in a similar handicap off the same mark in Chantilly over 1,900m where she was not beaten far, finishing fifth. In this handicap, even though it is a first start after a prolonged absence, she could still go well.
SELECTIONS: 6. OSER, 2. VESINABA, 3. SOHO VICKY, 5. JANISA BERE & 12. LOVELY MISS
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