International Racing: Saint-Cloud – Tuesday 19 May 2020

Race 1 – PRIX PRODUCER

The first race on the card is for unraced three-year-old fillies over 2100m. CAMOGIE is the pick of the field and she hails from the Henri-Francois Devin stable with Mickael Barzalona in the saddle. She is a daughter of Invincible Spirit who cost her owners € 220,000. If not too green, she may be the one they all have to beat today. PREMIERE BOHIMIENNE is a very well-bred daughter of Galileo from the powerful Andre Fabre stable. She cost her owners € 180,000. She gets the services of a 2.5kg claiming apprentice which should help her cause. SEAMIA is a daughter of Sea The Stars from the Carlos Laffon-Parias yard. Maxime Guyon who is the retained jockey for the owners takes the ride this afternoon and the combination cannot be ignored. As is always the case, the betting market will be the best guide to follow in this race. 

Race 2 – PRIX MISSISSIPIAN

The second of the races for first-timers is for colts and geldings over 2100m. Once again, the betting market will need to be closely followed to see what the connections think about their chances of winning are. SHERAZ is a son of Sea The Stars from the powerful yard of Alaine De Royer Dupre. Christophe Soumillon takes the ride this afternoon and the combination may be the ones to side with here. MET OFFICE is a son of Dansili from the Henri-Francois Devin stable and once again Mickael Barzalona is in the irons. With a bit of luck in running from barrier position sixteen, he should be right there in the run down to the wire. HIGH TEC from the Pia Brandt enterprise is a son of Intello and he gets the services of in-form Maxime Guyon. He cost his owners € 75,000. He too doesn’t have the best of draws and if able to get across without using up too much energy, he should be involved in the fight to the finish. 

Race 3 – PRIX BIRUM

NATIONAL SERVICE was an impressive winner on debut over 1500m on the all-weather surface at Chantilly. He has been rested five months, during which time he would have strengthened up. The son of Elusive City takes on stronger this afternoon, but he looks to have ability and may be up to the task at hand. It is encouraging that in-form Pierre-Charles Boudot takes the ride. MOUJIK caught the eye when winning on debut over a mile at Toulouse. He would have gained from the experience and should have more to come. If not in need of this outing, he should be the one to throw out the biggest challenge to the top selection. SEEKING DICKENS was disappointing in his last start after producing two good runs over this distance. The six-month break may have done him the world of good. The son of Hunter’s Light makes his course debut this afternoon and if suited to the track, should be right there in the run down to the wire. 

Race 4 – PRIX NUBIENNE

VANADA is the best bet on this afternoon’s programme. She was considered good enough to contest in a Listed race last time, but did not shape. She takes a big drop in class today and it is encouraging that Christophe Soumillon retains the ride. This isn’t the strongest of fields and the combination should get back to winning ways. WAAHAAT won an impressive race on debut over this course and distance and followed that up with a good second-place finish over 1500m at Deauville on the all-weather surface. Regular pilot Cristian Demuro is in the saddle once again and from pole position, the pair should be the leading contenders for the placings. MARY’S FRANCE just won on debut over this distance at Chantilly on the all-weather surface. She returns from a two-month break, during which time she would have strengthened up. The daughter of Acclamation takes on stronger this afternoon, but she could be anything. If fit and well, she should have a good chance of running into the money. 

Race 5 – PRIX D’ESTRUVAL [ARABIAN] – Group 3

The main event on the day is a Group 3 race for fillies and mares over 2500m. GANNAT was ultra-impressive when winning a Group 1 race over this course and distance last year. The four-year-old has been given the time to strengthen up since that outing. This race may be a prep for bigger things to come this season, but she has class and looks better than the rest of the field. Laura Poggionovo who was aboard her last time retains the ride and the pair should notch up the double. GENOLA made the trip to Cheltenham last time and finished under a length behind the winner in a Listed race. She returns from a four-month break this afternoon and if not in need of the run, she should be the one to throw out the biggest challenge to the top choice. FATIMA DE CLERVAL did not shape in a Group 2 event over twelve furlongs on this course last time. She is much better than that effort and on previous form shown, she should have a shout in this contest. The daughter of Spider Flight jumps from pole position and merits healthy respect. 

Race 6 – PRIX DE LA GLORIETTE

MANTANDAR is the value bet on today’s card. He was not disgraced when finishing just over five lengths behind the winner in a Listed Race last time. His form prior to that outing was very good. He has won once and finished second once from three attempts over this distance. Maxime Guyon who has ridden him twice for two second-place finishes steps back into the saddle today and the pair may find themselves in the winner’s enclosure. TOP MAX’S last three starts have been good. He loves racing over this distance having won twice and finishing second once from as many attempts. He does return from a six-month break and if not in need of the run, he should be right there in the run down to the wire. It is encouraging that Pierre-Charles Boudot has been engaged to ride the son of Joshua Tree. NOXARENO was a tad disappointing last time after winning three races on the trot. He may be a better horse on the all-weather surface, but he has finished second twice from five outings on the turf and cannot be ignored. Mickael Barzalona retains the ride which is a big plus. 

Race 7 – PRIX DE L’AULNE

POCA BOY has good consistent form lines to his credit. The run that catches the eye is when winning his penultimate start over 2100m at Pornichet on the all-weather surface. He should come into this race as one of the fitter horses and with a bit of luck in running from his wide barrier position, he may be the one they all have to beat. MUSTAQQIR is a maiden taking on winners, but he is lightly raced and is improving with each outing. The manner in which he has finished off his last two starts suggests that he will enjoy the ten furlongs today. Aurelien Lemaitre knows him well and the combination could be the ones to throw out the biggest challenge to the top choice. ARUM showed good signs of a form return when finishing second over 2100m at Angers last time. He has won once from three starts on this course. It is encouraging that Pierre-Charles Boudot retains the ride aboard the son of Waldpark and the pair merit healthy respect. 

Race 8 – PRIX DE LA GAILLARDERIE

SUQUITHO’S last three starts before given a six-month lay-off were very good. She has raced twice on this course for a second and a third-place finish. The daughter of Authorized has finished third in both her attempts over this distance. If not in need of the run and with a bit of luck from her wide barrier position, she should be the one they all have to beat. Stephane Pasqiuer knows her well which is a big plus. ALBIR produced four fair runs since winning his maiden race. It must be noted that he placed in his only start on this course. The son of Style Vendome returns from a three-month break and if not in need of the run, should be right there in the run down to the wire. The engagement of jockey Christophe Soumillon is eye-catching. MARRAKECH EXPRESS has been taking on stronger company in recent outings and drops in class today. He has won three times, finished second once and third once from eight attempts over this distance. The slight concern today is that he has to overcome a wide barrier position, but he has ability and cannot be left out. 

Race 9 – PRIX DU LIEU MARMION

This is a weak Class 3 Handicap and caution is advised. The narrow first selection is JE SUIS CHARLIE who’s last three starts on the all-weather surface have been decent. He has won once and finished third once from eleven attempts over this distance. Tony Piccone rides from a good barrier position and if continuing his run of form, he may be the one to get past here. GAETANO DONIZETTI’S last start was fair after winning his penultimate race over seven furlongs at Compiegne. He has won once and finished third twice from eight starts on this course. Should the top selection fluff his lines, he may be the one to pick up the pieces. MINISTRABLE has been racing on the all-weather surface in recent outings. If transferring his decent recent form onto the grass, he should be involved in the fight to the finish. He does have a wide barrier position to overcome, but he gets the services of Alex Roussel who knows him well. 

Race 10 – PRIX DU LIEU MANCHON

Another weak Class 3 Handicap closes off the meeting and caution must be taken. The tentative first choice is ODE ONE. He is much better than his last start on the all-weather surface suggests. His record over this distance is fair having won once, finishing second five times and third once from twenty-four attempts. Mickael Barzalona rides from a good draw and on best form shown, should be the one they all have to beat. GRISBI is a maiden taking on winners, but his last two starts over this distance have been decent. He gets the services of a 1.5kg claiming apprentice today and in this type of line-up, must have a decent say. RISE HIT has fair recent form lines to his credit. He has won once and finished second twice from eight attempts over this distance. From his good barrier position and with Theo Bachelot back in the saddle, he should be right there in the run down to the wire.