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France Form Sheet – 14th March
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R1 – PRIX DU CENTRE D’ENTRAINEMENT – 1900m (a1m 1/4) – ALL WEATHER – Class 2 Divided Handicap – Flat – EUR € 53,000
1. BAUHINIA RHAPSODY – Won two of his three starts on this surface since arriving on French
soil from England in October and made a wining Quinté+ debut over 1900m on the PSF at
Deauville on 3 February. Can win again under a 3kg penalty
2. AMI SOLEDAD – Won four handicap races in 2023 before finishing 2nd in a 1900m PSF
Quinte+ handicap at Deauville off his current mark. Would’ve benefitted from a comeback outing
(7th) over track and trip on 15 February
3. BOSIOH – Won a 1600m Quinté+ on the turf at Saint-Cloud off a higher mark in June but has
been unplaced in each of his six subsequent starts, which includes finishing 10th in consecutive
Quinte+ races at Cagnes this year
4. LORCAN – Didn’t go unnoticed on his reappearance when finishing 7th in a handicap over this
course and distance on 15 February but will need to raise his game to be competitive here in his
first appearance at Quinte+ level
5. BEVAN – Won two Quinté+ races on turf last year but shot up the weights/ratings as a result
and is not as effective on PSF, confirmed as much by his last-start in a 1900m Quinte+ on PSF at
Deauville on 5 November. Outsider
6. BAVARIA IRON – Made a modest start to his career in France but has progressed in
Germany, where he gave weight and a beating to She’s Cosmic (4th in the 2022 Group III Prix
Pénélope) over 1950m at Dortmund on 18 February
7. I’M A BELIEVER – Won an 1800m Quinté+ race on turf at this venue in September but finished
7th twice over track and trip at this level under a 3,5kg penalty before a reassuring 3rd over
course and distance on his return (24 January). Could have more to offer
8. INKIOSTRO – Won a course-and-distance handicap in December off a rating 2,5kg lower than
her current mark and could only finish 13th last time in a handicap over this track and trip on 15
February. Making her Quinte+ debut
9. SAINT ETIENNE – Ultra-consistent, lightly raced Le Havre colt with sound references on both
surfaces, especially at this level. Finished an encouraging 2nd on his reappearance in a 2000m
Quinte+ on PSF at Cagnes on 17 February
10. NEPALAIS – A regular in this category and has run two pleasing comeback races at Quinte+
level over 1900m on PSF at Deauville this year, which includes finishing a creditable 7th behind
BAUHINIA RHAPSODY (1) on 3 February
11. KHOCHENKO – Has improved recently for the fitting of blinkers (retained here) and confirmed
as much by winning a 2000m PSF Quinte+ handicap at Cagnes on 12 February. Ought to remain
competitive under a resultant 3kg penalty 12. JOLI PRINCE – Last-start winner of a course-and-distance handicap on 24 February, having
won a Quinte+ handicap over the same track and trip almost a year ago to the day. Races off a
career-high mark now, so has more to do
13. CENTRAL PARK WEST – Caught the eye when a fast-finishing 3rd in a course-and-distance
handicap won by JOLI PRINCE (12) on 24 February and meets that rival on 2kg better terms. Not
taken lightly
14. ROYAL RIGHT – Won a 2000m PSF claiming race at Cagnes on his reappearance last month
before confirming his form and well-being by finishing 3rd in a Quinte+ won by KHOCHENKO
(11) over that track and trip on 12 February
15. ROYAUMONT – Established himself in claiming races last year and finished 9th on his
Quinte+ reappearance over 1900m on the PSF at Deauville on 3 February off his current mark.
Has no more than a place chance
16. NOSDARGENT – Hard-knocking veteran handicapper in good form and physical condition.
Proved his competitiveness off of his current mark with an encouraging 2nd in a 2000m Quinte+
on the PSF at Cagnes on 12 February
Summary: BAUHINIA RHAPSODY (1) has performed impeccably since arriving on French soil
and confirmed as much by making a winning Quinté+ debut. On the evidence of that victory, he is
good value to defy a 3kg penalty and top-weight 62kg with another win in this opening event.
SAINT ETIENNE (9), after finishing an encouraging 2nd on his reappearance, also has the
means to fight for victory in receipt of 4kg from the selection. NEPALAIS (10), with two pleasing
comeback runs under his belt, and I’M A BELIEVER (7), who was 3rd on his seasonal
reappearance and will benefit from the services of Stéphane Pasquier in the saddle, are others
capable of playing leading roles. AMI SOLEDAD (2) and CENTRAL PARK WEST (13) complete
the shortlist.
SELECTIONS
BAUHINIA RHAPSODY (1) – SAINT ETIENNE (9) – NEPALAIS (10) – I’M A BELIEVER (7)
R2 – PRIX DU LIEUTENANT – 1600m (a1m) – ALL WEATHER – Class 2 – Flat – EUR € 28,000
1. CELESTIAL – Beat a quality field when winning on debut over 1500m on the PSF at Deauville
on 15 December and should have gained plenty from that experience. Could improve on his
return to remain unbeaten
2. CLAVUS – Improved with each start on turf last year and won over 1600m at Saint-Cloud with
first-time blinkers fitted before finishing 4th in his first outing on PSF over 1500m on this course
back on 12 October. Watch for now
3. RIBBLE VIBE – This well-bred Sea The Stars colt, who is closely related to champion miler
Ribchester, made a promising winning debut over 1900m on the PSF at Deauville on 3
December. Should pay to follow his progress
4. KING PATH – Confirmed the promise of his debut 2nd over 1700m on the PSF at Pornichet by
winning over this track and trip when last seen on 16 February. Should have more to offer
5. SUCHET – Beat a highly regarded subsequent winner when scoring on debut over course and
distance on 9 February. Open to any amount of improvement
6. PALAZZO – Improved with the benefit of an encouraging introductory outing his belt to win his
only subsequent outing over 1400m on the turf of Chantilly, with blinkers fitted, on 28 June. One
to note on his reappearance
Summary: CELESTIAL (1) displayed a professional and willing attitude when winning on debut at
Deauville in December, beating a quality field in the process, and could remain unbeaten if
making the expected improvement on his reappearance in a most intriguing Class 2. Well-bred
RIBBLE VIBE (3), one of three debut winners in the six-horse lineup, holds Group I entries for
both the Poule d’Essai and Prix du Jockey Club and will fight for victory, which could also be said
of the other unbeaten colt SUCHET (5) who is open to any amount of improvement after a
promising introduction. Improving last-start winner KING PATH (4) isn’t without a chance either.
Good race!
SELECTIONS
CELESTIAL (1) – RIBBLE VIBE (3) – SUCHET (5) – KING PATH (4)
R3 – PRIX DU CHATEAU – 1600m (a1m) – ALL WEATHER – Class 2 – Flat – EUR € 28,000
1. TAROB – Confirmed the promise of her debut 2nd over 1600m on the PSF at Pau in December
to win her next/latest outing over that course and distance on 8 January. Improving filly who could
get into the picture
2. CLANITHA – Improved with the experience of an encouraging introduction (4th over 1500m)
under her belt to win over 1300m on the PSF at Deauville on 12 January. Will have more to offer
and this trip will serve her interests
3. LALA LIGHT – Debut winner over 1400m on the turf at Clairefontaine before finishing a
disappointing 6th over 1600m here on the turf course when last seen on 9 September. Open to
improvement on her return/PSF debut
4. MINOUSHKA – A promising two-year-old filly of last season with good references and whose
only poor performance was at Group III level on soft ground. Runner-up to Group I winner and
dual Group I runner-up Islandsinthestream in an Arqana Series race over 1600m at
ParisLongchamp on 30 September – exciting prospect
5. SAXON GIRL – Made winning reappearance/PSF debut over 1300m at Deauville on 2
February but failed to confirm that improvement when only 5th over 1400m on this course last
time (1 March). Needs to raise her game
6. TARNAC – Showed a willing and professional attitude when winning on debut over this very
course and distance last month (9 February). Open to any amount of improvement
7. CETERA – Raced four times over 1600m on turf last year – finished 2nd in her first two starts
and won at Clairefontaine on 20 October before finishing 9th on heavy ground in a Listed race at
Toulouse on 11 November. Keep safe
Summary: A small but competitive lineup. TARNAC (6) made an encouraging winning debut over
this course and distance last month and, with natural improvement expected given the benefit of
that experience, could remain undefeated. She will, however, have to pull out all the stops to
thwart the returning MINOUSHKA (4) who performed at a very high level as a two-year-old on the
turf last year. Unlike those two principal contenders, CETERA (7) does not hold any Classic
entries but she showed enough in 2023 to warrant respect on her reappearance, as does
improving last-start winner CLANITHA (2).
SELECTIONS
TARNAC (6) – MINOUSHKA (4) – CETERA (7) – CLANITHA (2)
R4 – PRIX DU BASSIN DU PRINCE – 1300m (a6f 1/2) – ALL WEATHER – Maiden – Flat – EUR € 27,000
1. VIBRATO – Improving sort who has finished 2nd in each of his two starts this year, both over
1300m on PSF – including the reference race over course and distance on 23 February. The
horse to beat
2. YOKEN – Consistent colt with sound references, including a last-start 5th in the reference race
over track and trip on his reappearance (23 February). Should have more to offer with improved
fitness in his side
3. THOMAS SHELBY – Confirmed the promise of his debut 4th on turf at Saint-Cloud by finishing
3rd on his reappearance over this track and trip in the reference race on 23 February behind
VIBRATO (1) – will have a role to play
4. IGNOL – Unplaced in both outings on PSF, over 1300m on debut (9th) at Deauville before
finishing 7th over 1600m on this course on 22 December. Others preferred
5. HAMLET’S NIGHT – Invincible Spirit colt with Group I Poule d’Essai and Prix du Jockey Club
entries to his name. Disappointing 5th on debut over 1500m on PSF at Deauville on 15
November but will have improved with that experience
6. SESTO ELEMENTO – Finished 7th on debut over this distance on the PSF at Deauville on 2
February. Would’ve gained plenty from that experience but is best watched for now
7. GOLUPTIOUS – Improving colt who finished a career-best 3rd over this distance at Cagnes on
26 February. Further progress needed to play a role here
8. THUNDERHEART – Finished 5th on debut over 1400m on turf at Clairefontaine but failed to
build on that encouragement when only 6th over the same distance on turf at Compiegne when
last seen on 18 September. Needs to improve
9. EN PLEIN AIR – Runner-up in his last two starts, over 1500m on the PSF at Deauville in
January and over 1600m on this track on 16 February. Ought to remain competitive
10. ANTICO – Appeared noticeably more efficient over this distance when finishing 6th over track
and trip on 23 February. Could get into the picture
Summary: VIBRATO (1) and THOMAS SHELBY (3) finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in the
benchmark race over this course and distance on 23 February and are likely to find themselves
fighting for victory. However, despite finishing a somewhat disappointing 7th on debut, Group I
entry HAMLET’S NIGHT (5) shouldn’t be hastily condemned and will be wiser to the task on his
reappearance. Consistent rivals EN PLEIN AIR (9) and YOKEN (2) have the experience that
should stand them in good stead too.
SELECTIONS
VIBRATO (1) – THOMAS SHELBY (3) – HAMLET’S NIGHT (5) – EN PLEIN AIR (9)
