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France Form Sheet – 18 August
Race Preview
C1 – SUMBE PRIX JEAN ROMANET – 2000m (a1m1/4) – TURF – Gr1 Race – Flat – EUR € 250,000
1. AMERICAN SONJA – Undefeated in 2 appearances on French soil, including one over 2000m
at ParisLongchamp in the Group III Prix Allez France on 28 April. Showed her form and wellbeing with a good 2nd in a Curragh Group III on 21 July
2. MAXUX – Unplaced (7th of 8) in the Pretty Polly Stakes, a 2000m Curragh Group I on 29 June.
Not incapable of getting into the picture here
3. MQSE DE SEVIGNE – Defending champion of this Group I prize and unbeaten this year in 3
starts, which include back-to-back Group I successes, the latest on this course over 1600m in the
Prix Rothschild on 28 July. Hard to oppose
4. LEFT SEA – Last-start winner of the Listed Prix du Pays d’Auge over 1800m at Clairefontaine
on 27 July. More needed here
5. BLUE ROSE CEN – High-class youngster, champion two-year-old and joint top-rated filly in
Europe last year. Has looked a shadow of her former self in 3 starts this term, the latest (7th) over
1600m in the Prix Rothschild on 28 July at this venue
Summary: Champion MQSE DE SEVIGNE (3) has looked better than ever this year, winning all
three 2024 appearances including back-to-back Group I races. Already a 4-time winner in this
grade, she is hard to oppose and ought to add a fifth top-level victory to her resume. Joseph
O’Brien-trained AMERICAN SONJA (1) is unbeaten in two starts on French soil (at Listed and
Group III level) and, along with MAXUX (2) who will be ridden by Mickaël Barzalona, could give
the selection most to fear. BLUE ROSE CEN (5) has been a shadow of her former self this term
but ha the class to bounce back and challenge for a podium berth.
SELECTIONS
MQSE DE SEVIGNE (3) – AMERICAN SONJA (1) – MAXUX (2) – BLUE ROSE CEN (5)
C2 – SUMBE GRAND HANDICAP – 1900m (a1m1/4) – ALL WEATHER – Class 1 Divided Handicap – Flat – EUR € 75,000
1. CAMBRONNE – A model of consistency with sound references/form credentials (7 wins and 8
places in 22 starts), including an encouraging last-start 3rd over 2000m at Mont-de-Marsan on 1
August
2. GREY TORNADO – Group III placed finisher (in 2023 Prix de Guiche 2023) and runner-up in
consecutive recent outings, the latest at La Teste over 1600m on 21 July. Capable performer on
PSF
3. CICCIO BOY – A proven 4-time winner in the Quinté+ category, including a recent/last-start
victory over 1800m at Chantilly on 14 July. Keep safe
4. AZKA – Consistent, proven Quinte+ and handicap performer. Unplaced (10th) in 2400m Listed
race at Vichy on 16 July but shouldn’t be hastily condemned
5. WATCH HIM – Consistent performer in the Quinté+ category, winning once and placing 5 times
in 6 appearances at this level. Showed his form and well-being with an encouraging 4th over
2000m at Compiegne on 12 July
6. VENTS CONTRAIRES – Quinté+ winner over 1600m at Chantilly on 2 May but has struggled
(finished unplaced) in 3 subsequent outings under a penalty – the latest (9th) over 1800m in a turf
handicap at Chantilly on 14 July
7. BEMER – Quinte+ winner over 2000m at Lyon-Parilly on 24 June but struggled under a
resultant 3,5kg penalty last time, finishing 12th in an 1800m Quinte+ event at Chantilly on 14 July.
Watch for now
8. ANTE ALIOS – Showed considerable early promise but has flattered to deceive since winning
on his reappearance at Chantilly on PSF in March. Unplaced (9th) in 2400m Listed race at Vichy
on 16 July but shouldn’t be hastily condemned
9. DEVIL IN THE SKY – Unplaced in all 3 handicap appearances – the latest (9th) over 2500m on
turf at this venue on 1 August – but has dropped to a dangerous mark. Beware
10. UZEL – Model of consistency with good PSF references/credentials and proven Quinte+ form,
including a creditable 6th over course and distance on 28 July. Candidate for success
11. CENTRAL PARK WEST – Has regained form/momentum recently but at a significantly lower
level – finished 2nd in a claimer over course and distance on 8 August. Outsider
12. ABELARD F – Consistent PSF performer with sound references, albeit at a lower level.
Unplaced (9th) in a recent Quinte+ race over 1400m on this course last time out (30 July)
13. KLEORA – Made the most encouraging return to form when 2nd in a course-and-distance
Quinte+ handicap on 28 July. Will fight for victory with a repeat of that performance
14. LOOKING AT ME – Quinte+ winner over 2150m at ParisLongchamp on 25 April and didn’t go
unnoticed on her reappearance when 8th in a 220m Quinte+ at Dieppe on 23 July. Dark horse
15. LOU MAN – Rejuvenated veteran whose recent upturn in form/performance can be attributed
to the refitting of headgear. Confirmed the improvement of his previous start (2nd) by winning a
2000m turf handicap here on 10 August
16. NOSDARGENT – Capable hard-knocking veteran whose competitiveness at this level is
beyond doubt. Won course-and-distance handicap last time out on 28 July and was penalised
2,5kg
Summary: KLEORA (13) is yet to win a handicap but won’t be long in opening her account in this
category on the evidence of her eye-catching 2nd in a similar course-and-distance event on 28
July, when running on powerfully after a slow start. She is taken to get the better of trackspecialist UZEL (10) and top-weight CAMBRONNE (1) who ought to feature prominently on the
strength and consistency of his recent form. ANTE ALIOS (8) has flattered to deceive after a
promising start to his career but isn’t underestimated on handicap debut off his opening mark.
AZKA (4), after an unsuccessful attempt in a Listed race, and GRAY TORNADO (2), who finished
3rd in an 1800m Group III last year, are others to consider.
SELECTIONS
KLEORA (13) – UZEL (10) – CAMBRONNE (1) – ANTE ALIOS (8)
C3 – SUMBE PRIX MORNY – 1200m (a6f) – TURF – Gr1 Race – Flat – EUR € 350,000
1. ARABIE – Confirmed the promise of his 1000m debut 2nd with a subsequent hat-trick of
1200m wins, the latest on 14 July at Chantilly. Beware
2. WHISTLEJACKET – Battle-hardened colt with good form and experience to count on. Finished
4th in the Group II Norfolk Stakes at Ascot, won the Group II July Stakes at Newamarket and was
2nd in recent Group I Phoenix Stakes on 10 August
3. ESTEPONA – Unbeaten Mehmas colt whose 2 victories have come over this course and
distance, the latest on 1 August. Dark horse
4. RASHABAR – Improving last-start winner of the Group II Coventry Stakes over 1200m at
Royal Ascot on 18 June. Dont dismiss
5. SHAREHOLDER – Exciting, undefeated colt who followed up his debut win with a Group II
Norfolk Stakes victory at Royal Ascot on 20 June. The one to beat
6. ARABIAN DUSK – Progressive filly whose form reached new heights with a Group II victory at
Ascot over 1200m on 12 July. Lurker
7. DAYLIGHT – Imrepssive winner of the Group III Prix de Cabourg over this course and distance
on 28 July. Warrants respect
8. POLYVEGA – Debut winner over 1100m at Chantilly in June and confirmed that promise with a
game-in-defeat 2nd behind re-opposing DAYLIGHT (7) over track and trip on 28 July
9. EPSON BLUE CEN – Course-and-distance winner on debut last month and lost little in defeat
when finishing 2nd over track and trip on 1 August. Has upset potential
Summary: Typically high-class renewal of the prestigious Group I Prix Morny. Highly regarded
SHAREHOLDER (5) was a workmanlike winner of the Group II Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot,
and the unbeaten colt been specifically aimed at this event, so is probably worth siding with.
WHISTLEJACKET (2) finished 4th behind the selection at Ascot and has subsequently won at
Group II level and finished 2nd in a Group I, so has to be taken seriously. DAYLIGHT (7),
ARABIE (1), ARABIAN DUSK (6) and POLYVEGA (8) are other exciting prospects whose
chances shouldn’t be underestimated. Cracking contest!
SELECTIONS
SHAREHOLDER (5) – WHISTLEJACKET (2) – DAYLIGHT (7) – ARABIE (1)
C4 – SUMBE PRIX ALEC HEAD (PRIX DE LA NONETTE) – 2000m (a1m1/4) – TURF – Gr2 Race – Flat – EUR € 130,000
1. BIRTHE – Won the Prix Group II Prix Saint-Alary over this distance at Longchamp in May
before finishing unplaced (7th) in the 2000m Group I Prix de Diane when last seen on 16 June –
not taken lightly
2. CANDALA – Gusty frontrunner who will be hard to peg back if allowed to dictate, espeically
after her enouarging 3rd in the Group II Prix de Malleret over 2400m last time out
3. ROSE JAIPUR – Progressive filly with sound references/form credentials, including a last-start
4th in a course-and-distance Group III on 28 July
4. SEA THE BOSS – Acquitted herself well (4th) in a 1400m Listed race at Leopardstown last
year and has maintained a good level of form and consistency since. Dark horse
5. KITTY ROSE – Won an Irish Listed race last year and showed her form/well-being by finishing
2nd in a 1600m Listed race at Newmarket on 11 July
6. FRIENDLY SOUL – Last-start winner of the Group III Valiant Stakes at Ascot on 27 July – her
third victory in 4 starts. One to beat
7. HALFDAY – Finished 2nd on debut and confirmed that promise with back-to-back subsequent
victories before finishing 12th in the Group I Prix de Diane over 2100m on 16 June
Summary: British FRIENDLY SOUL (6) has run her best races from the front and confirmed as
much with a start-to-finish Group III Ascot victory last time out and she will be hard to get by if
allowed a soft lead in this Group II contest. CANDALA (2) is hard to assess with her best distance
not exactly known but she has undeniable ability and possesses the turn of foot to fight for
victory. BIRTHE (1) blotted her copybook in the Group I Prix de Diane when last seen but
shouldn’t be written be off, espeically on the evidence of her Group II Prix Saint-Alary victory.
ROSE JAIPUR (3) appeals most of the remainder.
SELECTIONS
FRIENDLY SOUL (6) – CANDALA (2) – BIRTHE (1) – ROSE JAIPUR (3)
