As a general rule, I would not entertain having a bet on a card when the ground is officially described as "Very Heavy". However, that rule is probably easier to break when you are dealing with a better class of animal and when I looked at the feature race on todays Compiegne card, I was persuaded to break it by one of the most excting prospects that I have seen in recent weeks.
Prix General de Saint-Didier (Grade 3) 12:25 (UK)
Light Wave sets the standard here and his official rating of 69.5-kilos would put him clear at the weights. The obvious concern would be the forecast ground (Very Heavy, 5,1 on the penetrometer) which is surely against him here. His best form has come on summer ground at La Teste and at Auteuil in early September, which is where he earned his lofty rating. Where to take him on then? Well, I think I can take on the likes of Terra Bella and Chimichuri who have run well enough but have a lot to find on the figures as they step up in class.
Bon Garcon won over this course and distance last time, but that race looks considerably below the level required to win in pattern company.
I’m left with Karakta and Diyashal. Karakta was an impressive winner at Chateaubriant and built on that form by winning on her first visit to Compiegne 3-weeks ago. That was a Fillies only contest and there is no doubt that this is harder, but she is at least back on the right path after some lesser efforts at Auteuil between her 2 wins. However, for all that she is unexposed and progressive, she has a lot to find with Diyashal. The penny has taken its time to drop with him, but Joel Boisnard seems to have found the key as he has won his last 3 starts, including an impressive win over fences in Listed company here last time out. He could have gone for the Listed 3-year-old Chase on this card, which would have looked like a penalty kick, but connections have chosen to go for the bigger prize and in conditions that we know he will handle, he should outclass this field. I expected to see Diyashal around 8/13 when the markets opened, so the fact there is 11/8 around was enough to persuade me he is the bet.
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