Racing heads to Vichy for an open ten-race programme on Friday. The best bet comes in Race 7 in the form of BLANCHE DOREE.
The daughter of HAVANA GOLD was touched off in a Listed event last time and drops back in class today. She gets the services of Maxime Guyon and the pair should take a power of beating.
Other International racing tips for Friday
Vichy
Coffs Harbour
Geraldton
Canberra
Stawell
Cranbourne
Neil Morrice Tips
Best Bet: BLANCHE DOREE (Race 7)
Value Bet: MERRY PICNIC (Race 4)
Race 1 – PRIX DES ERABLES
The meeting kicks off with a weak Claiming Race for the two-year-olds over the minimum trip and caution is advised. The narrow first selection is UP AND GO from the Andrea Marcialis stable. She produced a fair debut effort when finishing fourth over this distance at Chantilly. She would have come on from the run and with the natural improvement that is expected, may be the one they all have to beat. She gets the services of a 4kg claiming apprentice which should help her cause. COPIN D’ABORD finished 2.4 lengths behind the top selection on debut. He is worse off at the weights this afternoon and may have to settle for the same result. However, he would have gained from the experience and should make the natural progression. It is encouraging that Christophe Soumillon steps into the saddle. SHI FU MI produced a moderate debut effort on the all-weather surface over 950m. The daughter of Pivon would have come on from the run and if suited to the turf, should improve to run into the money in this type of field.
Race 2 – PRIX DE LA GROTTE AUX CRISTAUX
The main event on the day is a Class 1 Handicap for three-year-olds over the minimum distance. ROYAUMONT won his maiden well in his penultimate start and followed that effort up with a fair run in a Listed event. He takes a drop-in class this afternoon which should help his cause. The son of Dabirsim tries the turf for the first time and if suited to the surface, may be the one they all have to get past. Trainer Andrea Marcialis has a good chance of saddling the next two horses past the winning post. MIRAGE HERO produced a good post maiden effort when finishing second over six furlongs at Fontainebleau last time. The son of Due Diligence takes a step up in class today, but he looks to have ability and may be up to the task at hand. Jockey Christophe Soumillon takes the ride which is a big plus. ERNESTO DE LA CRUZ was a tad disappointing when finishing five lengths off the winner in a Class 2 Handicap last time. On best form shown, he should be right there in the run down to the finishing post. Pierre-Charles Boudot has ridden him in the past and he will know how to get the best out of the son of Wootton Bassett.
Race 3 – PRIX DES SENTIERS DENECOURT
This is a weak 3-y-o Handicap and caution is advised. The tentative first selection is CRISTAL MARVELOUS who is a filly taking on the males. Her recent form has been fair, but the statistic that catches the eye is that she has won once, finished second twice and third once from as many attempts over this distance. She gets the services of a 1.5kg claiming apprentice today and may be the one to side with here. MEHANYDREAM is not the most consistent sort, but on best form he should have a decent chance in this line-up. He has won once and finished second twice from five attempts over this distance and it must be noted that he finished third in his only start on this course. Alexis Pouchin knows him well and the pair merit healthy respect. SPANISH TIME is a maiden taking on winners, but he has not finished too far off in recent outings. Cristian Dermuro is in the saddle this afternoon and if continuing his fair recent run of form, he can run into the minor money.
Race 4 – PRIX DE LA FORET DES TROIS PIGNONS
MERRY PICNIC is the value bet on this afternoon’s card. He was a tad disappointing in a Listed Race last time, but the manner in which he won a Class 1 Handicap in his penultimate start was eye-catching. He drops to the minimum trip for the first time, but the manner in which he races suggests that he should have no issues with the drop in trip. Iortiz Mendizabal retains the ride aboard the son of Penny’s Picnic and the pair may find themselves in the winner’s enclosure. DUTCH CHOP was not disgraced when finishing just over three and a half lengths behind the winner in a Listed Race last time. He is a versatile sort as he has won on both the turf and all-weather surface in the past. Alexis Pouchin knows him well and the combination merit healthy respect. MYSTIC MONARCH is a filly taking on the boys. She has produced three decent efforts since shedding her maiden tag. She has finished third once from two attempts over this distance. Mickael Barzalona does duty aboard the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor and the pair should run into the money.
Race 5 – PRIX DE LA MARE AUX FEES
FOREVER COCO is the narrow first selection in this Claiming contest. Her last three starts in Class 2 company have been fair. She has won once from three attempts over this distance. The daughter of Rio De La Plata gets the services of a 4kg claiming apprentice this afternoon and may be the one to side with here. EVERSWEET caught the eye when winning her last start over this distance at Compiegne last time. 4kg claiming apprentice Ambre Molins who guided her to victory that day, retains the ride. If not in need of this outing, she has a good chance of notching up her third career victory. WAILEA NIGHTS was in need of her French debut last time. She produced some decent form in Great Britain prior to relocating. She is back on the turf this afternoon which should suit her well as she finished third in her only start on this surface. The daughter of Lawman gets the services of Jerome Moutard and the pair should be right there in the run down to the finishing post.
Race 6 – PRIX DE LA COUR DES ADIEUX
This is a competitive Claiming Race for the three-year-olds and caution is advised. The narrow first choice is INSIGHTFUL from the Andrea Marcialis stable. He has not finished too far off the winner since shedding his maiden tag in October last year. The manner in which he has been finishing off his races suggests that he will enjoy stepping up to the mile. The son of Dream Ahead gets the services of a 4kg claiming apprentice today which should help his cause. RIO DEL JACK’S last four starts in Class 1 and 2 Handicaps have been decent. He gets the services of a 3kg claiming apprentice this afternoon which should help his cause. He has finished second once from two starts over this distance. Should the top selection fluff his lines, he may be the one to pick up the pieces. MAGIC TIMING’S last three starts have been fair. It must be noted that the last time the son of Hot Streak won; Pierre-Charles Boudot was in the saddle. He makes his course debut today and if suited to the track, he may be right there in the run down to the wire.
Race 7 – PRIX DU ROCHER DE BOULIGNY
BLANCHE DOREE is the best bet on this afternoon’s programme. She ran an absolute cracker in a Listed Race over nine furlongs at Longchamp, in April last year. She returns from over a year’s break, but she takes a drop-in class today and may be too good for this field. In-form Maxime Guyon takes the ride today and the pair should be hard to get past. ZARKALLANI got back to winning over nine furlongs at Chantilly on the all-weather surface in this class last time. He has finished second twice in as many attempts over this distance. He should come into this race as one of the fitter horses and with Christophe Soumillon in the saddle, he should be one of the leading contenders for the placings. HOUSE OF KINGS was an impressive winner of a Class 3 Handicap in his last start over nine furlongs at Chantilly on the all-weather surface. He has finished second once and third twice from six attempts over this distance. Tony Piccone does duty aboard the son of Camelot and the combination merit healthy respect.
Race 8 – PRIX BILOE MONTE-CARLO-AUTOMOBILES
This is an exciting Class 2 Handicap as there are a few horses with decent chances of winning. The first selection is SUBLIMS from the Andre Fabre stable with Mickael Barzalona in the saddle. He was an impressive winner on debut over 2500m at Deauville on the all-weather surface. He rises in class today, but the son of Shamardal looks to have class and could be anything. His conditioner is no stranger to bringing his horses back to the races fit for their return. GOYA SENORA has not finished too far off the winner in his last three starts in Group 3 and Listed company. He drops in class this afternoon and will jump from pole position. Gregory Benoist takes the ride aboard the son of Anodin for the first time and he may be able to coax that little bit extra out him where it matters most. SOFT LIGHT was considered good enough to contest in a Group 1 contest last time. He ran a very good race when finishing second in Group 2 company over 2500m at Deauville in his penultimate start. Cristian Demuro steps back into the saddle today and the pair cannot be ignored.
Race 9 – PRIX BILOE MONTE-CARLO MECENAT
SOWGAY is much better than his last start on the all-weather surface at Chantilly suggests. He was a winner of his two starts prior to that outing. His record in the last twelve months is decent having won twice, finishing second twice and third three times from eleven starts. His regular pilot Sylvain Ruis is in the saddle once again and the pair should get back to winning ways. REBEL QUEEN is a mare taking on the males. She ran a very good race on the all-weather surface over 2700m at Chantilly last time. Her best form has been on this surface having won twice, finishing second twice and third three times from eighteen starts. The daughter of Cockney Rebel makes her course debut this afternoon and if suited to the track, should be right there in the run down to the wire. UCHRONIQUE is much better than her last start over twelve furlongs at Compiegne. She produced two good runs prior to that outing. The daughter of Palace Episode tries the 3000m for the first time and if seeing out the extra distance on offer, she should be involved in the fight out to the finish.
Race 10 – PRIX DE LA FAISANDERIE
This is a weak Class 3 Handicap to end off today’s proceedings and caution is advised. The tentative first selection is WAK’A who is a mare taking on the males. She showed good signs of a form return in her last start over twelve furlongs. She has finished second once from two starts over this course and distance. If confirming her recent improvement, she may be the one they all have to beat. SICAIRE was an impressive maiden winner in his last start. He takes on stronger opposition, but he is lightly raced and looks progressive. If seeing out the extra distance on offer today, he may be the one to throw out the biggest challenge to the top selection. He gets the services of a 3kg claiming apprentice which should help his cause. MAX ATTACK has not finished too far off the winner in recent outings. He has a fair record in the last twelve months having won twice and finished third once from seven starts. With a bit of luck from his wide draw, he should be right there in the run down to the wire.
