Having passed the halfway point in the month of October the Profit and Loss for my French tips is in the Green. Alright, it's at plus 70 pence, but it is a profit and as one of my mentors once told me, "if you're not losing money, you're doing better than 97% of punters out there". I will cling to that and given that there have been 9 selections placed, there is also the comfort of what might have been with a little more luck.
Racing continues at Deauville today on the second of a 2 day meeting that marks the end of the turf season. I haven't covered all of the races, as the Six 16-runner handicaps looks a little bit too much of a lottery to me, especially with some difficult draws for the more obvious selections. Instead, I have had a look through the form of the 2 Listed contests and the 3-year-old handicap which on paper at least, appear to be slightly easier to read.
R2 – 2YO Listed Sprint – Criterium de Vitesse.
Zorken has the highest rating, but that mark of 46 came from earlier in the season when he was dominating races from the front. Didn’t run his race in August and off since. Similar with Baileys Polka Dot who also didn’t run her race last time out. Hala Emaraaty probably achieved most of the British runners, 5th in Kempton G3 last time out.
Suspect the form of Gentleman Beauty and Grade Maker, who have met before, is not good enough at this level. Grand Grey the anomaly. Multiple winner in Italy, and with some ease. Yard having their first runner in France since 2013. A real unknown?
Soumillon booked to ride Rush Queen for Ado McGuinness, 4th at Dundalk last time, probably enough to go close here.
Just a mess of a race with the draw and pace. No bet for me.
R3 – Prix Vulcain
Sevenna’s Knight a proven stayer by Camelot. 4th over 3,000m last time. Staying on and the more rain the better I would think, but no obvious pace. Conditions probably going against Salahudin and Rashford, though both are consistent.
The unknown is Shakti, won both starts. Quicker closing sectionals than Zulu Warrior at Saint-Cloud, though this is a big rise in class and the placed horses at Saint-Cloud would be 50/1+ in this. Prefer Zulu Warrior. Won last time despite having no run whatsoever. Proven horse at this trip and level.
Bet Placed – Zulu Warrior (2/1)
R5 – 3YO Handicap
Plenty with chances but think the PSF is the key to Percussion. Won over C&D in August. Has a fair draw again here. Both Full-Sisters were pattern class (Txope best at 49k). Had no chance on turf at Saint-Cloud last time out, held up in steadily run race.
Bet Placed – Percussion (10/3)