13:30 – Field Of Gold
14:05 – Believing
15:20 – Sosie
16:05 – Fallen Angel
16:40 – Poet Master (each-way)
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
The Gosdens’ FIELD OF GOLD was the one to beat in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere as he was excellent when third on debut at Doncaster in what was a fantastic race against rivals who mostly had a run on him. He’s won twice since but took a step forward in the Solario Stakes at Sandown last time. He was excellent then, looked very straightforward and game and took the step up in grade in his stride. I rate the one he beat, Matauri Bay, too. I couldn’t have Ballydoyle’s Henri Matisse in this contest.
The draw will play a massive part in the Prix de l’Abbaye and box five will suit BELIEVING, who has been excellent and ultra-consistent this year. She ran well in the Kings Stand Stakes and the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot. She then won a Group 2 contest at the Curragh and second twice behind Bradsell, once at York and once at the Curragh. I was there that day and she was one of the few who got competitive from a low draw as she was in stall one. She may have won if drawn high. She’s probably one of the best and most consistent sprinters in the UK or Ireland.
One of the feature races of the season is the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and SOSIE has been very competitive at the top of the table all year. He ran a cracker when third in the Prix de Jockey Club when drawn out wide that day. He had to wait on a gap, but eventually, he barged through some runners but never got to the winner. The step-up in trip suited when he won the Grand Prix de Paris on his next start, beating Illinois, and looked very good then. He took a typical mid-summer break and returned for the Prix Niel, where he beat Delius and Look De Vega, who opposed again. Stall five is the perfect draw as Maxime Guyon can jump out and track the pace and then angle out for his run up the straight.
The Prix de l’Opera Longines sees the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner, FALLEN ANGEL, return after a cracking run last time behind Porta Fortuna at Leopardstown after an enforced absence. The race time suggests that James Doyle got the fractions almost perfect on Fallen Angel and she just lacked the speed to kick on again two furlongs out. Connections said she needs to step up in trip and that run suggests it too. I think she will stay this 10 trip as her dam was by Lawman and got more than 1m. Fallen Angel looks the one to beat in what doesn’t look like a massively deep field.
I can see the case for Kinross. He’ll probably be the NAP for many people at the Prix de la Foret. However, even though he was excellent, I thought he might be past his best, so I’d like to see him recreate the run LTO before I back him again. Instead, I’ll side with POET MASTER at an each-way price. His CV isn’t as decorated as some here, but he’s pretty consistent and will enjoy any ease in the ground we get. He was notably strong in the market last time when carrying a penalty. That has stuck with me, and I’m willing to give him a chance at a hefty price to prove that he can be competitive at this level. I’m sure he’ll run into the places.
13:30 – Field Of Gold
14:05 – Believing
15:20 – Sosie
16:05 – Fallen Angel
16:40 – Poet Master (each-way)
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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