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Someone above mentioned french trained Manhaj above for the 2000 Guineas and he IS still in the race (and the Poulain too).
The poster commented that he may not have beaten much, and it is true that it is hard to evaluate the French 2 year old form AND he would have to improve from 2 to 3. However, in his last win, he gave at least 7lbs to the horses he beat, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th ALL Won next time out, the second went on to be placed in two listed races and the 4th who is well regarded was 2nd in a Gp 3 and then 2nd in a G1 at Saint-Cloud.
Should’ve said that the horse I’m looking forward to more than any is Garde Cotiere. I was mad about him before he’d even run & although he disappointed at Newmarket, he looked great at Lingfield. On at fancy prices for the 2k & Derby.
A little bit lower down the food chain, to the point that he might barely deserve to grace the same page as some of the horses mentioned, but following that old maxim, that the bank manager can’t tell the difference between a 5/1 winner at Catterick or one of the same price at Royal Ascot, I’m going to nominate Spahi, a 5-y-o with David O’Meara.
At first glance this horse appears to be most regressive, he’s contested handicaps in France from marks in the mid-80’s and gradually dropped from 73 since coming to Britain. However his last 3 starts at Catterick have all contained more promise than the bare form I think. His fourth to Aaman is working out well, the second and third both won on their next Flat start but Spahi was better than the result, travelling strongly but not seeing his race out. It’s been a similar story on both starts since and in that period his mark has dropped from 60 down to 52. He’ll never be a superstar, but he’s the type that could win plenty of handicaps from his low mark this season I hope.
Spahi runs in the 5.05 Southwell. Pedigree and French form give hope that he’ll be ok on the surface, trip bit of an unknown, but I’ll certainly be keeping him onside.
Cheers DJ, will keep an eye on him today. Three of my lot, History Note, Yaseer and Al Kazeem all made decent seasonal debuts, the Oxx horse at Leopardstown, in particular.
Anyone with ideas on the French classics?
What are your opinions of these?Helleborine
Espirita
Wootton Bassett
French Navy (now with Godolphin)
Salto
Maiguri
Was there an excuse for Maxios first time up?
Baraan
Prarie StarAny others you like?
Value Is Everything
, but lovely performance just now by Tazahum, albeit in a handicap.- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.