Everything seems in place for another big performance from the star stayer TRUESHAN in Saturday’s Prix du Cadran at ParisLongchamp (1.33) – live on Sky Sports Racing.
Emily the biggest danger in Trueshan’s Cadran bid
I missed a suspension when he won the 2m4f event in the capable hands of James Doyle two years ago, so it would be nice to finally add this great race to my own CV.
The mild conditions in Paris will be ideal for seven-year-old Alan King, who loves to dip his toe into the ground and couldn’t be in better form after clinching the Doncaster Cup on his first start since that successful wind operation.
I’m surprised to see only five hold out against him, including Emily Dickinson. Aidan O’Brien’s filly looks the biggest danger after running so well in the Gold Cup at Ascot on the Cadran trip last time and in the Goodwood Cup over 2 meters. Like Trueshan, she thrives on soft soil.
Two years ago he returned to Ascot to win his second British Champions Long Distance Cup – a race he landed for the third time last year. Whether he returns to Championship Day remains to be seen and that plan will no doubt be up for debate after Saturday.
View Challenge in Prix Dollar
The Group 2 Prix dollar at Longchamp on Saturday (4.43) seems an ideal target for William Knight’s four-year-old CONTROL AND CHALLENGE.
He is a talented but not uncomplicated colt who ran well at this level in the York Stakes last month and may benefit from the application of blinders for the first time after wearing a visor for the first time last time and running well .
Last year he was the Group 3 winner in France over 1 metre, but he proved himself on soft ground when third in the Group 2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein at the Arc weekend last year and remains unnoticed on this 10f trip.
Get ready to put on a daring show
The Brit Andrew Hollinshead, who lives in France, booked me for him GET READY in the field of heritage disability, the Qatar Prix de La Place des Vosges (2.15).
This reliable six-year-old appears to have the right qualifications for the 12.5f competition, having won a shorter stage at the Paris circuit in June.
It’s clearly trip-versatile and behaves well on soft ground, but we’ll have to overcome a tricky draw in stable 16 to be involved at the business end of the race.
Heart says Hukum in the arc test
My heart says British raider Hukum will claim glory in Sunday’s mouth-watering event Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (3.05) – live on Sky Sports Racing – but the draw was not favorable for Owen Burrows’ stable star.
It would be great to see Sheikha Hissa Hamdan Al Maktoum cap off another great season by winning Europe’s biggest race with her brilliant King George hero. However, a placement in stable 14 will be a challenge for Jim Crowley, who will hopefully have enough luck on the run to play a part in the finish.
The draw was kinder to the winner of Aidan O’Brien’s St Leger CONTINUOUS who was undeniably impressive at Doncaster and could provide all the answers. Things are moving fast, but the fact that he is being supplemented by the Coolmore operation speaks volumes.
I will be riding to Japan again later this year and would love to see their representative Through seven seas Trainer Tomohito Ozeki and owners Carrot Farm are doing well. His second against Dubai Sheema Classic winner Equinox in Group 1 company in Japan in June looks solid.
by Ralph Beckett Westoverwho finished second in that Meydan match, also has great hopes for the British challenge and it’s great to see Rob Hornby once again entrusted with the task of turning around King George’s form with Hukum.
Pattern success in Germany
My trip to Cologne last Sunday was a success, mainly thanks to Amy Murphy’s filly GEOLOGIST winning the List Winter Queen Trial.
She made almost all the runs in the 7.5f feature and was brave when necessary to beat her rivals in a three-way finish.
I came third with her in Group 3 at Deauville in July after Tom (Marquand) won a novice with her at Ripon. She then finished second in a valuable sales race at Newmarket and so certainly deserved it.
Hollie’s Hot Shot
TREVAUNANCE
I was very happy with Jessie Harrington’s filly, who finished second to me in Group 1 in Germany last weekend.
It was a first attempt at 12f for Moyglare Stud Farms’ daughter of Muhaarar, who saw it through well and has absolutely everything it takes to strike at the highest level in Europe at this new distance.