Our racing expert has two tips from Chantilly.
9:55
BASCHAM (best price 6-1) has still yet to win a race since picked up by current connections in a claimer at Saint-Cloud a year ago, but he has been knocking at the door of late and following a decent effort on his return to action at Longchamp seven days ago, the Olympic Glory gelding may be on the verge of striking again. Placed on his two previous outings before the break – including one over today’s C&D - the four-year-old was quietly-fancied to run a big race in that competitive heat at the Paris-based venue and despite finishing just out of the frame, he did more than enough to suggest the money in his direction was justified. Indeed, had he obtained a clearer passage inside the final two furlongs he may have gone close to winning and with that all-important run under his belt seen a possible advantage over many coming back off long layoffs, he makes plenty of each-way appeal at the morning odds – especially as some firms are offering four places.
The consistent pair of fillies, Got Flight and Queen Flawless looks the main dangers on all known form.
10:28
Low grade stuff for horses that find winning difficult, so it might well be that the determining factor above all else is fitness and that brings Dionysos and New Dream right into the picture.
The former fared best of the pair when fourth in a competitive handicap at Longchamp a week ago and a run of a similar standard ought to see him go very close. Although he didn’t hit the line like he was absolutely screaming that an extra two furlongs might suit, it’s not as if he hasn’t raced over 1m4f before and with a decent low draw and ground to suit, he just about deserves to be one of the market leaders. The latter has a little more to prove, having not troubled the judge too often in a 13-race career, but there was a good deal to like about the way he came home in the closing stages in the same race at the Paris-based track to lend weight to the belief that he’s not a total lost cause.
11.01
Some smart older horses on show in this Group 3 contest, none more so than last season’s Prix Dollar hero, Skalleti. A real money-spinner throughout in recent times, his only defeat coming over 1m2f on the all-weather at Cagnes-Sur-Mer, the five-year-old won all his other seven starts including that Group 2 event at Longchamp on Arc day and one over today’s course earlier in the campaign. A hold-up performer with a useful change of gear at the finish, the son of Kendargent has the capabilities to go close if fit after his 197-day break.
Nature’s Colours is a colt seriously on the improve and he proved his versatility in no uncertain terms when upped in class last time out. Winner of two conditions events at Lyon and Compiegne prior to his latest encountered at Deauville 73 days ago, Andre Fabre’s inmate made light work of his opposition at the Normandy-based track, quickening sharply to seal the deal late on and it’s that impressive turn of foot which is now becoming the feature of his game that makes him such a dangerous opponent for his rivals here today.
PLUMATIC (best price 10-3) was a top-class performer when in the care of Andre Fabre and now has his first outing for Francis-Henry Graffard. Winner of the 2018 Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury, beating the likes of Oh This Is Us, Zonderland and Elarqam, the six-year-old has maintained his high level of form in four starts subsequently and even though he got beaten on his final outing of last season, it was certainly no disgrace to finish within a length of the improving Miss O’Connor on heavy ground at Saint-Cloud. Usually fairly reliable when fresh, the son of Dubawi also represents a stable in red-hot form with four out of their last five runners winning and he rates the percentage call is a what should turn out to be a fascinating affair.
Silver Quartz is a name many UK will know from his days with Archie Watson and while things never really took off for the five-year-old while over here, it’s been a totally different story since joining new connections. Since the turn of the year, the son of Frankel has registered two wins and a place from three starts on the all-weather and with the latest of his victories secured in quite a classy event at today’s venue, he now looks ready to take on board something more substantial. Whether he can translate his recent exploits back to the turf of course is the 64,000-dollar question, but with his confidence at an all-time high, there’s a fair chance he can outrun his odds.
11.34
Easily the most intriguing race on the card with a whole bunch of promising three-year-olds going to post and if you are one of those punters who is going to be watching French racing for some time, it’s one for essential viewing for both today and from behind the replay button.
Nominating which one of today’s line-up is the likeliest to have improved from two to three is almost impossible, but there’s a decent chance that Alkandora will have based on the way she shaped on her debut at Longchamp towards the backend of last terms. Only just beaten on the bob in a driving finish 214 days ago, the daughter of Nathaniel left the impression she would be seen to greater advantage over further this season and she gets an immediate opportunity to back up that theory at a track that should suit.
Ebaiyra wasn’t given anything like a hard time when runner-up on her debut at Saint-Cloud 234 days ago and she also falls into the ‘could be anything’ category. Bred to get better in time, the kindness shown on her opening gambit should be rewarded in due course and it would come as no surprise if she were to have a significant say in the final outcome.
Solsticia was involved in a blanket finish on her debut at Longchamp and the subsequent form of those involved that day suggests the form is a little suspect. However, she comes from a powerful stable and is bred to get middle-distances so she’s not one to cast aside lightly.
Land Of Maybe failed to justify favouritism on her debut at Saint-Cloud last September, but she still shaped with a reasonable amount of promise all the same. Doing all her best work at the finish, she left the impression the run would not be lost on her and this stoutly-bred filly should come into her own over middle-distances throughout the season. The first-time visor is a little disconcerting, though.
Of those who have run more recently, Maccaja makes the most appeal and she could turn out to be the joker in the pack. The way she stayed on for minimal driving in the closing stages of her debut effort very much suggested she will know more next time and it’s also worth noting the horse who beat her that day, Irska, has already boosted the form with a smooth success over some nice types at Saint-Cloud the other day. At 9-1 top price this morning, she makes the most appeal from an each-way stance.
