3 minute read
The second in our three slices of Longchamp's delicious "gateau".
The first of the six G1s is the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere for 2yo colts and fillies. The English markets have Unquestionable on 11/4 as it's by Wooton Bassett and an O'Brien-Moore runner. The Irish haven't always been that lucky at Longchamp so we will put the hard-earned on Beauvatier 3/1 for Barberot-Guyon – it's by Lope de Vega. Zabieri is 6/1 for Rouget-Demuro and he's another Wooton Bassett this time carrying the Aga Khan's colours.
The Boussac is over 1600m for 2yo fillies and has a field of 10 and this time the Irish have an excellent chance with Opera Singer, a Justify filly with O'Brien-Moore and on 2/1. We loved the run of the Too Darn Hot filly Darnation last time out and she's on 11/4 for Burke-Lee. We may have a little nibble of the 8/1 Rose Bloom by Lope de Vega and with Nicolas Clement with Pasquier riding.
The Arc comes next but that will have a separate entry and we continue with the Opéra over 2000m for f&m with 12 runners. Blue Rose Cen was all the rage earlier in the season but her last two runs were decidedly unimpressive so we cannot have her and certainly not at 2/1. We prefer Jannah Rose on 6/1 for Carlos Laffon Parias and Soumillon. Al Husn is 7/1 for Varian-Crowley and we have a roughie here at 20/1 and that is the Aga Khan's Darkaniya -she's by Frankel, won a G2 recently at Baden Baden and she's with Francis Graffard with Barzalona on board.
The Abbaye is one of the more insane races in the wonderful world of whacky races in that it goes diagonally across the Longchamp infield. It's 1000m and has 19 starters. The draw doesn't really matter that much and Highfield Princess deserves her favourite's quote of 3.20 for Quinn-Hart. We like Moss Tucker a lot and if you can get 9.00 grab it! The best of the locals is probably Coeur de Pierre on 10.00 and we will add White Lavender 13.00 to the mix.
The Prix de la Forêt is over 1400m with a field of 14. Kinross is a hot fav on 1.85 for Becket-Dettori. Will we see a flying dismount from Frankie's last ride at Longchamp? We are very partial to Sauterne on 7.00 for Cottier-Piccone and as it is very open (apart from the fav) we'll add Shouldvebeenaring on 10.00 and Fang 13.00 for Rouget-Demuro – we wonder if he bit somebody to earn that name!
