Prix Greffulhe - Midak

3YO Group 3 - 2,100m - €40,000

2:11.64 - Finishing Speed 105.3%

Midak landed a hat-trick of wins to start his career with a relatively straight forward success. Running 11.85 and 11.83s for the first 2 complete furlongs, he was in command from halfway and readily held of Dioptase in the closing stages. A top speed of 63.2 km/h suggests he is capable of winning more races at this level, but there can be no doubt that the form of those behind him will leave this open to question and he will probably find things much harder next time.

Dioptase (2nd) took a step forward from his C2 win at Salon-De-Provence, but having sat behind the leader, he was well placed and never looked like getting his head in front of Midak. This was a good piece of placing from the Rouget team, but he doesn’t necessarily look like backing this up next time.

Uther (3rd) “Bubble burst”. Threw his toys out of the pram, looking reluctant to race and an awkward ride for Maxime Guyon in the first mile. On and Off the bridle throughout the race, he has made some late headway in the straight, including the next best final furlong in 12.11s. There is ability there but now there are questions over his attitude and his antics and underperformance do raise questions over this form line.

Piquoiseau finished further behind Midak than he had at Chantilly. Should compete at Listed level but lacked the pace to go with the winner in the closing stages. Aidan’s Phone was a G3 winner here in March on the back of a solid campaign at Cagnes over the winter. He shaped well, but tired and is possibly in need of a break now.

The ground, recorded officially as Bon 3,2, was the key to what would appear to be a fast time.