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  • Adam - GeeGeeBanker

Saint-Cloud 13th May


Runners in the stalls for a horse race at Saint-Cloud, Paris

An interesting Tuesday afternoon card at Saint-Cloud. We begin with a Quinte handicap over 7-furlongs for the older horses. As usual, this is a very competitive heat and the draw and lack of a confirmed pace angle would be enough to put me off having a serious bet in the race. There were 2 horses that caught my eye though. The first is Alabama Moon. Stall 14 will not make this an easy ride for Mickael Barzalona, but she is well treated on his current mark and was unlucky to bump in to a very progressive type from Gerald Mosse's yard (Centenario) at Paris Longchamp last time. Racing in mid-division, she forced her way through the gaps to chase home the strong travelling winner and ran a faster final furlong of 11.40s once in the clear. Having been left on the same mark (37-kilos) she makes some appeal. As does Riyabovka, who won a handicap at Deauville on the PSF when she was last seen in January. Having been last turning in, she flew home in 11.16 and 11.53s furlongs to get her head in front on the line. After 8 starts she remains unexposed, especially on turf and has a decent draw in stall 6. I should also mention the top weight, Harmony Grey, who makes her handicap debut. If she returns to the form that saw her perform well in pattern company last summer, she could prove to be ahead of her opening mark, but her return at La Teste was uninspiring and I could only watch her, even at 20/1. These would be very token selections in a competitive Quinte, but below are 2 runners later on the card who looked to be the wrong price in the morning markets.


Prix de Laureal (13:30)

2YO €36k Claimer - 1,200m - €12,000

Bon Souple 3,3


General Chop. The horses in for €36k look to be the ones to concentrate on a General Chop makes the most appeal under Mickael Barzalona. Finished 3rd on both starts to date. Creditable 3rd on debut at La Teste behind Golden breeze (who is the likely Favourite for the Listed feature race at Vichy tomorrow) which including 3rd and 4th furlongs that were sub 11-seconds. Filled the same position when 3rd behind The Best Glory, taking time to get into top stride before lunging late. Much more likely to be suited by the longer straight at Saint-Cloud and nicely drawn behind the likely pace angles in stall 6. 15% Claim.


Main danger; Landscape. Had 2 starts (both at Saint-Cloud) over 900m. Should stay this far, but main reason for opposing the short price is the fact that he seemed unable to pass the long time leader (Sucking Diesel) in the closing stages and would have wanted to see him finish better. That horse had been soundly beaten in a couple of 2YO races in the UK (late NR at Tarbes on Monday) and the form level does not justify the current 6/5 price.


1PT WIN General Chop (5/2)


Prix Des Pyrenees (2:05)

3YO Class 3 Conditions Race - 2,000m - €11,500

Bon Souple 3,3


Carisha. Supplemented for this race. Won a maiden at Clairefontaine in October, giving 3.5-kilos to the runner-up (Stitching Wheel, now rated 34 kg). Form of latest run when 3rd at Strasbourg makes her of particular interest. Beaten less than 2-lengths, Winner has won a Saint-Cloud handicap on a mark of 40, the runner-up won his next 2 starts and is now rated 42.5. Those 3 pulled 8-lengths clear of the rest, but the 5th placed horse won a Class 2 event on his next start to boost the form. The criteria for this race mean Carisha gets weight from her main rivals as she hasn’t run since the cut off date of 13/11/2024. The Delcher Sanchez yard won a similar race with Sabroso at Fontainebleau last month and the booking of Maxime Guyon would appear to suggest that she is ready to run her race.


Main Dangers; Aura ran a poor race at Chantilly last time, but her earlier maiden form, including a 2nd here in early April, would suggest that she is weighted to go close. Prosecutor is 0-5 for Andre Fabre but this is the easiest assignment he has faced, though it’s hard to say he has improved this season. Sakhaline won a Lion D’Angers handicap but has weight to concede as a result.


1PT WIN Carisha (11/2)

1 Comment


I only read this post racing unfortunately, but good shouts in for the first 3 races!

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