Pao Alto did us a huge favour at Longchamp on Thursday in
the Group 3 Prix la Force in the best time of the day and, as a result, I am
not surprised to see him now vying for favouritism for the Prix du Jockey Club which
will be held at Chantilly on Sunday 5th July. Indeed 8/1 still seems
a fair price although we did flag him up at 16s before his trial.
After some top-class flat action in France earlier in the
week, the focus turns to the jumps this weekend with a terrific card from
Auteuil to look forward to this afternoon.
There have been very few shouts of Gooaal in recent weeks and
few, if any, hat-tricks, but the horse of that name is chasing a third
successive win in the four-year-old chase although he must give weight to his
nine rivals today and the form of his latest success was let down by the runner
up Garfield – who jumped anything but like a cat – earlier in the week.
The filly Nanosecond looks sure to go off market leader
having scored on her chase debut here back in March, where she gave every
indication that she would appreciate this step up in trip to an extended 2m 5f.
The nod, however, goes to Galant Du Chenet (12.05) who represents the powerful
stable of Guillaume Macaire and who was last seen winning over hurdles here
back in February.
In the listed Go Ahead Hurdle for 3-year-olds Macaire is
likely to saddle the front two in the betting but I will be disappointed if
Nimes (1.05) cannot follow up his winning debut at Compiegne back in March.
Jockey James Reveley appeared confident – if not bullish – of a bold show from
his juvenile when interviewed on Sky Sports Racing earlier in the week and the
hope is that he can give 3lbs to his six rivals.
It should be said that the third and fourth horses home did
little for the form earlier in the week but do note Macaire saddled the 1-2 in
the corresponding race 12 months ago. It would be no surprise to see the winner
of this contest attract support from some of the leading British and Irish
owners.
The feature race is the Grade 2 Prix Murat and the equine
star on show is last year's Grade 1 Grand Steeple Chase de Paris winner
Carriacou who represents the yard of Isabelle Pacault. The 8-year-old was
beaten more than 10L over hurdles here back in March, but the ground was
heavier than ideal. While I expect a better run today, regular pilot Davy
Russell does not take the mount, and this is likely to put him spot on for a
repeat bid in the big one back here next month.
The mare Ebonite must go close having made such an
impressive return here in March, but I am a big fan of both five-year-olds Feu
Follet and Figuero (1.35) and preference for the latter is marginal.
The selection beat Feu Follet by 3L over today's C&D back
in September but the latter is 4lbs better off today which suggests there will
be little between the pair. Figuero – who is now unbeaten in his last three
starts – won over timber here back in March and just gets the vote at 5/2
although it really is a race to savour.
Seduction is interesting in the listed hurdle for fillies
and mares having won two of her last three starts including a chase at
Fontainebleau last time. Katy Love is chasing her hat-trick and is another to
consider in a competitive handicap, but I am going to take a chance on Kalmia
(2.45) who was never placed to challenge in Grade 3 company here back in March.
The four-year-old can be a bit keen in her races and the hope is that run will
have blown away the cobwebs and make her more amenable to restraint.
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