Prix de la Grotte Review

Prix de la Grotte

Paris-Longchamp - 12th April - “Bon 3,2”

3YO (F) G3 - 1,600m - €36,600

1:38.19 (Réduction KM 1:01.36)

The fastest winning time in this race since Mexican Gold in 2015 (1:37.98), but the ground was the key to that with a penetrometer reading of just 3,2. Although visually it looked like a strongly run race, the winner recorded a finishing speed of 110.4% and having poached an early lead aboard Ceramic, Eddy Hardouin did little more than maintain a gallop in front on the pacemaker. The McLloyd sectional times show that his mount did not drop below 11s furlongs at any point in the race.

EVOLUTIONIST paid a compliment to both Composing and Precise by winning this race on her seasonal return. She had finished 3rd in the G1 Fillies Mile at Newmarket in October and as such, was probably deserving of her place at the head of the market, especially given that she had already proved this trip was in range. Shane Foley had her ideally placed and having got the first run on the runner-up, she was always likely to win once getting on terms, eventually going on to win by over 2 lengths with closing furlongs splits of 10.66 and 11.52s. This trip suits and although she has entries in the English, Irish and French 1,000 Guineas, the fact that she came here would surely point towards a return next month over the same course and distance. Her connections have her entered in the Prix Saint-Alary too, as well as the Oaks and she showed on Sunday that she is likely to be able to stay further in time. As fillies trials go, this looks to be one of the better ones and she must now rank amongst the favourites for the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, although she would have work to do with Aidan O’Briens runners if they traveled over.

NARISSA was probably the horse to take from this. Although she only has a Saint-Cloud maiden on her CV, she has run some great races including when 3rd in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac in October. Having been settled in rear, she finished her race nicely, including running the a faster final furlong than the winner in 11.42s. She should improve for this run and although not certain to reverse form with Evolutionist, I would expect her to get closer next time.

PIERCHIC was a Chelmsford maiden winner for Charlie Appleby last season and ran a career best to finish 3rd in this race. She did have the benefit of a run at Bordeaux at the end of March (Finished 2nd) but finished her race well and ran the best final furlong. Having now earned some Black-Type, this is job done for the switch to Henri-Alex Pantall as far as her broodmare career is concerned. However, the way she finished this race would suggest that she could add at least a Listed or G3 race to her CV.

GREEN SPIRIT is the hardest horse to assess. She won her first 4 starts and was only a length behind Diamond Necklace in the Prix Marcel Boussac. However, having had a pacemaker to aim at and been ideally placed, she failed to pick up and tired into 4th. She may well have needed the run and it is hard to know how fit she was for this first run of the season, but she has a lot of work to do if she is going to reverse this form. Ande Humphrey is one of the best judges of French racing that I know and after the race he asked me if I thought she would be better over 1,400m. I can’t be sure, but having watched this a couple of times, I do wonder if this mile trip is stretching her. She is bred to get this far, but her 2 most recent starts do suggest that the final 200m are proving a step too far.

CERAMIC was used as a pacemaker for Green Spirit. Although as much as 5 lengths up at halfway, she set only even fractions before being picked off by better horses in the closing stages. She has run 2 good races this season, but on the balance of her form probably needs her sights lowered a little.

Neither ANASHKAYA nor KENDELYA looked like getting involved inn the finish and their classic aspirations probably ended here, though the latter wasn’t entered in any case.