It’s a big weekend for Europe as all eyes train to France for a plethora of French Group One’s, culminating in tomorrow’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Today there’s not just two Group One’s in France, but one at Newmarket. Plus big handicap action at Ascot. Plenty of action on a busy Saturday.
Longchamp
King Of Europe
1:33 – Prix du Cadran (GROUP ONE) – Kyprios @ 4/11 (BetVictor)
There’s only one horse to consider. It’s just a question of name the distance, given that Kyprios won the Cadran by 20 lengths when he won the race in 2022. William Hill will pay 3/1 for Kyprios to win over five lengths and that seems like a better bet than just an outright win for one of Europe’s top stayers.
If you fancy the forecast, Trueshan makes a lot of sense. Despite only winning the Listed Coral-Marathon this year, Trueshan has won the Cadran twice in the last three years. He’s capable at the distance and soft ground suits him to a ‘T’.
Vive La France
4:00 – Prix de Royallieu (GROUP ONE) – Caius Chorister @ 8/1 (William Hill)
Despite training in West Sussex, David Menusier is as French as they come. Which is why he’s targeted his star filly to win in his native country. Caius Chorister came close to winning two Group Three’s at the start of the season and ran a good race at Chester last time out. She won over the same distance on similar ground last season at Saint-Cloud and has been targeted at this race by the trainer. It looks a weak Group One on paper and Caius Chorister possess a lot of talent.
Newmarket
French Fever
2:40 – Sun Chariot Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Tamfana @ 9/4 (General)
Surface matters at this stage in the season, which, for me, rules out Inspiral and Nashwa who like firmer conditions. Tamfana could make it a big weekend for Mr Menusier. She dominantly won the Group Three Atalanta last time out, and the second, Doha, won yesterday so the form back up. She’s raced behind Sosie, who won next time out too and looks to be a Group One winner in the making.
Ascot
A Bit More European
3:35 – Challenge Cup (Heritage H’cap) – Germanic @ 6/1 (General)
Three-year-olds do seem to perform better towards the end of the season in handicaps. Particularly if there a couple of pounds well-in on the handicap. Germanic is exactly that. He comes into this race two pounds well-in after finishing a close third to Telemark at Doncaster last time out. It’s clear he can handle soft ground which is another plus for him and can produce a similar run off an advantageous mark.
Another horse off an advantageous mark is Golden Mind, who finished within a neck to Telemark in the same race. It’s clear he can handle both trip and distance and Northern trainers have a decent record in this race with David O’Meara and David Barron winning for the North in the last four renewals. Richard Fahey will be eager to add his name. 10/1 (General).
One at a price to be considered is Popmaster. Despite a winless season, he’s only raced in one handicap this season. Clearly he isn’t a strong horse at Group level, but dropped from a Group Three could work out. Plus he finished a neck down in the same contest last year and is two pounds lower from that. He looks very overpriced at 20/1 (BetVictor).
Best of Luck!
