With the French Guineas having come and gone, the 183rd Prix du Jockey-Club is now very much in focus. Shortened to 2100m in 2005, it has over the years produced a host of fine winners, and stallions. Given the field, there is no reason to believe that Sunday’s edition will be any different.
Playing for the home team, Big Rock has been a revelation this year, securing four wins in succession, three of them at Chantilly. Pace has not been an issue with him and his limits have yet to be defined.
Something similar could be said of Feed The Flame who has outclassed his rivals on both racecourse appearances. His lack of experience may be a disadvantage but he is undeniably a classy colt, and will be associated with Christophe Soumillon.
Winner of the Poule d’Essai des Poulains, Marhaba Ya Sanafi can be considered a seasoned racehorse by now, and considering how he runs, the longer trip should not pose a problem.
Jean-Claude Rouget will saddle three, Ace Impact clearly his best hope in view of how he disposed of the opposition in the Listed Prix de Suresnes, in the process maintaining his unbeaten status.
American Flag, who needs to redeem himself after a disappointing run in the Poule d’Essai, Flight Leader who floundered on heavy ground in the Prix de Guiche, and Winter Pudding, all represent decent domestic chances.
Among the notables from the visiting side are Ballydoyle’s Continuous, winner of last season’s Prix Thomas Bryon and author of a good comeback in the Dante Stakes. John and Thady Gosden send over Epictetus in the hope he can put his Dante run behind him.
