It is not just about the return to action in the UK that grabs the headlines on Monday. Over in France it is a big day of racing where the Guineas meeting is held at Deauville as we begin a frantic month of classic action around the world.
The 2000 Guineas is followed swiftly by the 1000 version on what is a huge day of racing over in France. We have gone through both cards and have picked out the best bets in the two feature showpieces.
2.50 Deauville
Preview
The big race of the day is the Group 1 Poule D’Assai, known to many as the French 2000 Guineas. This is a one mile race for the 3 year old boys on the straight track of Deauville, having been switched from Longchamp. A small but select field of 9 faces the starter.
Favourites
The key trial is the Group 3 Prix Fontainebleau, run 3 weeks ago, where the 1-2-3-4 all re-oppose here. The 3rd horse home that day, Victor Ludorum, is the 2/1 favourite here despite being turned over at odds-on in his trial. He’s one of 3 for Andre Fabre, a master trainer who was out of form then, so maybe that run can be overlooked. He pulled hard that day but still disappointed. That said, he’s very highly thought of and, on his form of last year, is still the one to beat.
Ecrivain is his main market rival & finished 1 place in front in the trial when getting going all too late. He was 2 from 3 as a 2 year old, his only defeat coming at the hands of Victor Ludorum in the Group 1 Prix Jean Luc Lagardere. Kenway was 4th in the trial & will be lucky to reverse placings with any of the front 3 that day.
Betting
The winner was The Summit and we are taking him to follow up here. He dictated a slow pace in the trial and made all, many judges saying he stole the race. However, watch the race back and you’ll see the way he visibly quickened up, putting the race to bed in a matter of strides and, even late on when the challengers emerged from the pack, they were never getting to him, the winner scoring cosily by almost 2 lengths.
It’s likely to be closer this time around but at 2 or 3 times the price of the 2nd & 3rd horse home, he surely ranks as the best value. He was a good 2 year old, winning a maiden before finishing a close 3rd in a Group 3 when getting no run whatsoever. It’s easy to ignore his 5th in the Group 1 Criterium De Saint Cloud over a trip too far on very deep ground. Before his run in the trial, he was 2nd in a Listed race, beaten a head by Pisanello who he beat in the Fontainebleau. That day, he wasn’t knocked about & yet still only just failed to get up. This straight track should hold no fears and it may ultimately bring his obvious stamina into play more than a turning track would.
Of the others, Alson is having his first run for Andre Fabre after splitting Victor Ludorum & Ecrivain in the Lagardere but it’s also his first run of the year which is offputting. The 3rd of the Fabre trio is Arapaho who could be anything having won 3 of 4 at a lower level. He’s never raced above Listed level & was made to work hard to win on reappearance although he did it despite the poor form at the time of the yard. A bigger worry may be the trip now stepped up to a mile but on a straight track where, arguably, more stamina is needed.
Of the remainder, Celestin & Reshabar shouldn’t be good enough but Shinning Ocean who was supplemented on Thursday could run a good race at a big price.
Tips
PLACED – Back The Summit (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 10.00 Boylesports (⅕ odds 1-3)
Back it here:
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3.25 Deauville
Preview
The girls equivalent is the Poule D’Essai (the French 1000 Guineas) and it has attracted a field of 12.
Like the boys race, it sees the first 4 home from the key trial, the Prix De La Grotte, re-oppose with the 1-2-3 filling 3 of the first 4 places in the market.
Favourites
The worthy favourite here is the winner of the Grotte, Tropbeau and she’s another favourite running for the Fabre yard. She won 3 as a 2 year old including a Group 2 and was also 3rd in the Group 1 Cheveley Park at Newmarket. Dream And Do was behind Tropbeau last time out and there’s nothing stand out to suggest she’ll reverse the form. However more of a danger is stablemate Tickle Me Green who was 3rd that day. What impressed me was her battling qualities as she raced up with the fast pace (so most inconvenienced of the shape of the race) yet only gave way to the front 2 close to the line. The worry is that she may prove to be better when stepped up a couple of furlongs in trip. 4th home in the trial was Ellerslie Lace & she looks to be outclassed.
Simeen is the 2nd favourite here and the dark horse, having won all 3 including a stakes race last time out. She only prevailed narrowly but the way she came from last to the first was taking. The form took a knock over the weekend with the 2nd and 4th horses home finishing 2nd and 10th in a field of 11 in a Listed event. Marieta would be a big danger in this field had she had a prep run (the only one not to have seen the track this year) so is reluctantly passed over).
Betting
The selection therefore, at a big price, is Speak Of The Devil. She’s only raced twice so is inexperienced but remains open to loads of improvement. She won her maiden here, coming clear to win nicely, in her only start as a 2 year old. It was her only run as a 3 year old that caught the eye though; in the Escoville Stakes 3 weeks ago, she was 2nd to supplemented 2000 Guineas hope Shinning Ocean but her performance can be upgraded significantly.
She was given a really poor ride at the back of the field and when turning into the straight, she not only let the winner steal a march but she repeatedly ran into the back of other horses. She only got into the clear inside the final furlong and, when she did, she picked up in impressive fashion managing to grab 2nd. A new, and eyecatching, jockey takes the ride here and, in a race lacking depth, she could be the one to give the favourite most to do.
Tips
PLACED – Back Speak Of The Devil (e/w) for a 0.75/10 stake at 21.00 Betfair Sportsbook (⅕ odds 1-3)
Back her here:
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