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Saint-Cloud and Vincennes.
The main meeting this Sunday is at Saint-Cloud featuring a pair of Group Two contests including the G2 Prix Greffulhe (2100m) for three-year-olds only alongside the G2 Prix du Muguet (1600m) for older horses. We preview the fixture alongside Saturday at Vincennes. Two feature meetings will be held in France this weekend at Vincennes Saturday and Saint Cloud Sunday. Vincennes presents three Group races with the G2 Prix Albert Demarcq highlighting the best five-year-olds. Saint Cloud offers two Group Two contests including the Prix Greffulhe for three-year-olds run over 2100m, the same distance as both June G1 Classics – Prix du Jockey Club and Prix de Diane. The second feature is the Prix Muguet, a 1600m event for four-year-olds and above.
G2 Prix Albert Demarcq
The best five-year-olds have assembled including G1 Criterium Continental (2100m) winner Hohneck who followed this victory contesting the G1 Prix d'Amerique where he wasn't disgraced finishing 3.5L fifth. Yet to be seen since a G1 second in March so fitness will be a query. Happy Valley is the most progressive runner engaged and is undefeated in six races at Vincennes. Recording a personal best last start, she is reaching her peak and can win again. Hooker Berry has always shown ability and comes into this race following a G2 success last month.
G2 Prix Greffulhe
This race is always a season highlight and is the only Group Trial race where both colts and fillies meet. Agave could prove the one to beat this year. Undefeated in her three races including winning to G3 against her own sex she has been impressive. This is her big test. She won't have it all her own way with Maximus continuing to progress. Beaten a neck last start into second in the G3 Prix Noailles (2100m) three weeks ago by Junko, he could bounce back.
All other runners appear to be smart however have only contested restricted condition races or unplaced in black-type races to date. They have improvement, steady maturity, and progression on their side, however, are yet to be proven in Group company.
On paper it may be a race in two but at this point of the spring, emerging horses can come to the fore.
G2 Prix Muguet
A small field will be assembled for this race headed by last years' winner, the Andre Fabre trained Duhail. This event of 2021 may have been his last win however that year was his best season having contested races up to and including at G1 level. He resumed for 2022 in the Prix Edmond Blanc, also over course and distance finishing second behind previous Group One winner The Revenant.
The only filly engaged is Sibila Spain. A winner of three races from seven starts, including a Listed race over 2100m, it was her fourth in the Group One Classic Prix de Diane over 2100m where she showed plenty of heart to be beaten 1.5L after racing from the front, indicating she could be something special. Though the distance of this race on Sunday might not suit she should be prominent against this small field.
Dilwar, Mythico and Pao Alto are proven G3 level horses.
