Andy Holding has one tip from Saint Cloud on Tuesday
11.10
Both Moujik and National Service put their unbeaten runs on the line and it should turn out to be a fascinating battle between the pair.
The former ran out a comfortable winner on his debut at Toulouse back in October and with the runner-up that day, Waltham, going on to endorse the form twice subsequently (latterly in a good listed race), he arguably sets a decent standard. A likeable type from a family that suggests he will probably require further before we see him flourishing at a higher level, this looks a perfect stepping-stone towards something more taxing in future.
The latter probably didn’t beat the same standard of opponent as his main market rival on his debut victory at Chantilly, but that’s not to say he’s any less promising. A proper slab of a gelding, who covers plenty of ground when in full cry, it’ll be interesting to see how the son of Elusive City has developed both physically and mentally since his opening bow 159 days ago and it would come as no surprise if he were to provide the favourite with all the trouble he could handle.
11.40
Once again, another three-year-old contest with plenty of potential and talent on show and the pick of the pile appears to be WAAHAAT (best price 15-8). Impressive when shifting through the gears to good effect from the front on debut over today’s C&D, Jean-Claude Rouget’s filly was rightfully sent off a warm order to supplement those gains on the all-weather at Deauville next time out and although she failed in her bid to justify favouritism, she still came out of the race with her reputation intact. Held up just off the speed set by Bellanodine at the Normandy-based venue, the daughter of Siyouni just got caught out for tactical speed when the eventual winner kicked coming off the home bend and even though she reduced the deficit to a short-head at the line, she was always fighting a losing battle. Drawn nicely in stall one for a potential attacking ride again if connections would prefer to take advantage of vital track position, this classy-looking filly should prove difficult to peg back if ridden in this fashion.
Vanada had to go down as a bitter disappointment at Saint-Cloud when last seen and it remains to be seen whether she can recapture the sort of form which saw her capture a maiden in some style on debut over the same course previously. Seemingly finding the step up in grade in one fell swoop catching her out big time, the daughter of Makfi, who doesn’t possess the same amount of scope as her main market rival, will need find plenty to match several of her rivals.
A more viable contender is likely to turn out to be Black Fever and she looks to be a fairly straightforward and progressive filly based on her profile. Getting better with each outing as a two-year-old, she eventually shed her maiden tag at the third time of asking over today’s C&D in the Autumn and even though the form has been rather let down by the horses in behind her that day, it would be dangerous to totally disregard her claims.
Mary’s France came out on top of a wild finish at Chantilly on her debut back in March and she looks the type to continue to thrive with more racing. In giving away experience, the daughter of Acclamation overcame greenness by showing an attitude to match her natural qualities in the closing stages and on the evidence of just that one start, she rates a filly to be respected.
