Our racing expert, Andy Holding, has two tips for today's racing at Lyon.
10:45
Grey Mystere’s runner-up effort to Pao Alto on her penultimate outing last season looks even better now than it did 24 hours ago and based on that level of form, the grey filly has to be respected. Unable to handle really testing conditions on her final start, it remains to be seen whether the daughter of Lethal Force will be capable of running to form on today’s terrain but, hailing from a yard that has kicked off the new campaign in pretty decent shape, there’s every chance she will make a bold bid all the same.
French Aseel is the most recent winner in the line-up having landed a maiden over today’s C&D when last seen back in March and although this represents a significant step up in class, she should in no way be underestimated. Clearly a different horse to the one that signed off last campaign with a modest run on soft ground at the same track, the son of French Fifteen quickened in impressive style 62 days ago and it’s just a case of whether he’ll be equally effective under today’s easier conditions.
San Fabrizio couldn’t cope with the turn of foot exhibited by Victor Ludorum on his final start last season, but he still didn’t shape too badly against a horse who could still make the grade at a later date. That said, he probably lacks the scope and progression of several of today’s field and he may just come up a bit short on his first outing for 244 days.
SILVER SCHNOK (best price 9-1) is the other C&D winner in the field courtesy of her debut success last October, so she has to be of some interest just based on that fact alone. Picked off late by the fast-finishing Private Romance on her final outing at two, the daughter of Olympic Glory shaped like the best horse that day until the combination of heavy ground and the 1m1f trip found her out, but now back a furlong and racing on a better surface, this scopey filly rates the value each-way call at the morning odds.
12:15
Hellenistique was a progressive gelding towards the backend of last season and looks sure to go close on his hat trick bid. The way he powered clear in the closing stages at Angers in November backed up his previous success at Le Croise-Laroche in some style and with the sixth horse out of that race 176-days ago boosting the form with a comfortable victory earlier in the week, his claims are there for all to see.
Lootah has a similar profile to his main market rival, arriving here off the back of two victories towards the backend of last season and with one of those wins having taken place at today’s venue, his track knowledge has to be seen as some sort of advantage. Clearly at home on soft ground, today’s conditions should prove ideal and with his yard just beginning to crank into top gear, Andre Fabre’s colt should go close to completing his hat trick.
Step By Step and Poet’s Black were second and third respectively when chasing home the impressive Jo Pickett just prior to the enforced break back in March and both would place claims based on that level of form. Of the pair, the former makes the most appeal as he seems to be a fairly straightforward character with a decent attitude and he looks one the each-way merchants can have some fun with.
Another who falls into a similar category is Adelphie and she could end up being the joker in the pack. Runner-up on her debut behind the useful Silver Schnok (runs in the 10.45) over today’s course back in October, the daughter of Prince Gibraltar really appreciated the step up in trip when staying on stoutly on her return visit a month later and with similar conditions in place here this afternoon, odds of around 8-1 make quite a bit of appeal.
Loquito showed a willing attitude when trying to supplement his previous win at Cagnes-Sur-Mer last time out and he would have some sort of chance on that form, while Woot City might find today’s company abridge too far.
13:58
SKYWARD (best price 7-4) rubber-stamped his upwardly mobile profile when completing the hat trick at Saint-Cloud on his final start of the season and he rates one of the most interesting runners on the card. A smooth winner on the all-weather at Deauville on his debut, the Camelot colt supplemented those gains with a similar performance on his return visit a month later and off the back of those two victories he was upped in class. Tackling listed company and turf for the first time, Francois Chappet’s inmate answered both calls in impressive style by powering clear of a decent field inside the final furlong and on the evidence of that display, it looks like he should make into a useful middle-distance prospect during this campaign.
Of the main dangers, Papalino is the most experienced performer at today’s level with one win and four placed efforts in pattern company through his career so far. Indeed, his runner-up in a Group 2 at Saint-Cloud this time last year reads well in the context of today’s race and, having run just 61 days ago at the same track, his fitness levels will be higher than most of his rivals also. Monsieur Croco found heavy ground in Group 2 company too hot to handle on his final start of the campaign, but now back at a more suitable level should go close, while San Huberto comes into the mix on his C&D victory this time last season.
