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Preview: Poule d'Essai des Poulains.
The Poule d'Essai was created in 1840, inspired by the English 2000 and 1000 Guineas. It was split into two divisions in 1883 - the Poulains for colts and Pouliches for fillies. We look at the runners for the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains...
Breizh Eagle
Unbeaten in three starts, Breizh Eagle steps up into Group company for the first time. He was an eye-catching winner of the Class 1 Prix Machado over this course and distance on 22 April and could play a major role if continuing to improve.
Poetic Flare
Poetic Flare will be looking for a historic G1 2000 Guineas (1600m)/Poule d'Essai des Poulains double after his head success at Newmarket (UK) on 1 May. His only career defeat came in the G1 Dewhurst Stakes (1400m) as a juvenile on soft ground at the same UK venue and is the stand-out horse in the race.
Colosseo
Colosseo started off his Classic campaign with a disappointing fifth at Chantilly on the AW but showed a better level of form when third behind Breizh Eagle in the Class 1 Prix Machado (1600m) at Longchamp. More improvement will be required.
Prince Lancelot
Winner of the Listed Prix Zeddaan (1200m) at Deauville on his final start as a juvenile, Prince Lancelot was a promising third in the G3 Prix Djebel (1400m) at the same track on reappearance. He may prefer sprinting distances.
Parchemin
An eye-catching winner of two competitive contests as a juvenile, Parchemin was expected to make more of an impression when fifth in the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau (1600m) at Longchamp. He is likely to progress for the run but this will be a tougher task again.
Mehmento
Mehmento was unraced as a juvenile and started his three-year-old campaign with two wins in low-grade contests at Southwell AW (UK). He was a fair second in the G3 Greenham Stakes (1400m) at Newbury (UK) on their straight course, a traditional trial for the G1 2000 Guineas (1600m) but this is going to be a big ask.
Policy of Truth
Policy of Truth used experience to his advantage when taking the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau (1600m) over this course and distance on seasonal reappearance. That form is potentially the best of the French contenders and he cannot be dismissed.
Easter
Easter ran a fair race to finish fourth in the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau (1600m) behind Policy of Truth at Longchamp. Although he placed at Listed level on seasonal reappearance, Group One company may be a step too far.
Sealiway
Sealiway was arguably the top French juvenile in 2020 and ended his season with a fifth in the G1 Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf (1600m) at Keeneland (USA). Winner of the G1 Prix Jean Luc Lagardare (1400m) at this track last campaign, he is expected to improve for a recent second in the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau (1600m).
Summiter
Summiter started his three-year-old campaign early, picking up prize money at Cagnes-sur-Mer in January and February. He was a surprise third in the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau (1600m) on 18 April and holds each way claims again.
Normandy Bridge
Normandy Bridge closed off his juvenile campaign with a second in the G1 Criterium International (1600m) at Saint Cloud behind Van Gogh. The winner could only manage eighth in the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket (UK) at the start of May and Normandy Bridge was fourth on reappearance in the G3 Prix Djebel (1400m). A better effort would be required to feature.
St Mark's Basilica
Winner of the G1 Dewhurst Stakes (1400m) at Newmarket (UK) in October 2020, St Mark's Basilica missed the G1 2000 Guineas (1600m) and makes his seasonal reappearance here. He may need the first run back although Aidan O'Brien runners tend to be fit for return.
WINNER – SEALIWAY
DARK HORSE – BREIZH EAGLE