Compiegne Maidens 21st May

PRIX DE LA DIVETTE

3YO C&G Maiden - 2,000m - €13,500

2:05.41 - Finishing Speed 108.4%

On paper, this looked to be a relatively shallow maiden and a great opportunity for Zaydann and so it proved. Sat prominently, he has asserted to run the fastest final 2-furlongs with 1 reminder from Barzalona and was good value for his 3-length winning margin. He probably should have won at Saint-Cloud, but he was ridden along the far rail on soft ground, which never works. Capable sort, even if there are better prospects in the yard. Well suited to the stiff finish at Compiegne.

Starlord (2nd, again). Consistent but limited at this stage. Even with riders claim he hasn’t been able to get close to the winner. Kept on and could win a provincial maiden perhaps, but needs to find some improvement which at present, seems unlikely. Similar comments would apply to Lakota Blue (3rd) who led, but looked one paced in the straight. He is now 0-4.

Top Town Tale (5th) was last at the end of the back straight and has made some good late headway. He finished 6-lengths behind Cualificar on debut at Saint-Cloud in March and both runs have suggested he can win a race. Recoletos half-brother to Amy Murphy’s Pride of America.

Alkidan (6th) was the Graffard 2nd string and despite settling towards the rear, he was too keen in Luca Carboni’s hands. Made some late headway without threatening. Will probably find a race but needs to settle better.

PRIX DE L'AILETTE

3YO Fillies Maiden - 2,000m - €13,500

2:06.57 - Finishing Speed 105.1%

Much better performance from Clovera on her return. She had finished a tired 3rd on her debut at Bordeaux, but that came on soft ground during a rain storm and having made the running she can be forgiven, especially when we allow for the fact that she was sent off at 1.9 PMU for that 2YO debut in October. Traveled perfectly here and although wandering around in the closing stages, was able to assert and looked like a Filly with more improvement to come. She is a Wootton Bassett Filly and there are several Black Type performers in her immediate pedigree (Martel, Blush). That will surely be the first aim with her. Ran 11.49s for the penultimate furlong, the fastest individual split in the field at a top speed of 62.7 km/h.

Tiyanada (2nd) wore a hood for this debut and was settled towards the rear, but she has made good late headway to be beaten less than a length. Perhaps not one of the leading 3YOs in the Graffard stable this year, but capable of winning a maiden on this evidence. A Harland filly, she was getting 5.5-kilos from the winner with her riders claim, but should win a small race, possibly better suited to 2,400m if she settles.

Sevara (3rd) and Timeo (4th) have both had their limitations exposed now. Keeping on at the one pace, they look in need of either softer ground or 12-furlongs now.

Poker Star (5th) had struggled in a Paris Longchamp debutantes race in October. Ran better here, sitting on the inside and travelling to lead at the 2-furlong pole. Couldn’t sustain it, but still ran with some promise. Several jumpers in the family and could be a dual purposxtype to consider. Tongue-tie was added for this 2nd start which seemed to help.