International Racing: Clairefontaine – Thursday 28 May 2020

Racing heads to Clairefontaine on Thursday for an exciting nine-race programme. Race 5 on the card is a Group 3 event over seven furlongs. The best bet on the card is TONNENCOURT in Race 6. He was not disgraced when racing in Listed feature race company in his last two starts. He takes a drop-in class this afternoon and should be the one they all have to beat. 

Best Bet: TONNENCOURT (Race 6)
Value Bet: REUX (Race 9) 

Race 1 – PRIX DU PONT DU ROI
OMMEEL produced a promising debut effort when finishing third over 1900m on the all-weather surface at Deauville. The manner in which he finished off the race that day suggests that he will enjoy the step up to the eleven furlongs this afternoon. He would have gained from the experience of his first run and if suited to the turf surface, he should improve to win this. WHAZE caught the eye on debut when finishing third over a mile at Saint-Cloud. The son of New Approach would have come on from the run and should make the natural progression today. Maxime Guyon retains the ride for Freddie Head and from a good draw, should be the one to throw out the biggest challenge to the top selection. ZEALANDIA produced an encouraging debut effort finishing fourth over a mile at Saint-Cloud. He was doing his best work up the straight that day and will enjoy the extra distance on offer this afternoon. He returns from an eight-month break, during which time he would have strengthened up. If not in need of the run, he should be right there in the run down to the wire. 

Race 2 – PRIX DE L’ALLEE DES CYGNES
SHARIQ produced a decent comeback run when finishing fourth over a mile at Toulouse last time. The manner in which he finished off his race that day suggests that he will enjoy the rise to the nine furlongs. He should strip a much fitter horse this afternoon and with Christophe Soumillon in the saddle, he should be the one they all have to beat. ULTRAMARINE produced two decent efforts before given an eight-month break, during which time he would have strengthened up. He gets the services of a 1.5kg claiming apprentice on his return and if not in need of this outing, the son of Siyouni should be involved in the fight out to the finish. BEST STEP is a filly taking on the males. She produced a fair comeback run at Lyon-Parilly when finishing just over three lengths behind the winner. She should strip a much fitter horse this afternoon and gets the services of a 3.5kg claiming apprentice which should help her cause. With her handy galloping mass, she has a good chance of a first three finish.

Race 3 – PRIX DE BEAUSEJOUR
NATURAL PATH was an impressive winner of his first two career starts. He returns from a seven-month break today, during which time he would have strengthened up. He does take a step up in class, but he is lightly raced and looks to have ability. Alexis Badel retains the ride and the combination have a decent chance of retaining their unbeaten record. NAT KING ran a fair race in Group 3 company last time. He will enjoy the drop to the mile as he won on debut over this distance. The son of Nathaniel takes a drop-in class this afternoon and with Olivier Peslier in the saddle once again, the pair should be the ones to pick up the pieces should the top selection fluff his lines. ZIEGFELD won well on debut over seven furlongs on this course. He returns from a ten-month break this afternoon, during which time he would have strengthened up. He does take on stronger opposition today, but he could be anything. Mickael Barzalona retains the ride and the combination merit healthy respect.

Race 4 – PRIX DU MARCHE AUX FLEURS
BENGAL BAY produced a promising debut effort over six furlongs at Ascot last year. He returns from a lengthy eight-month absence, during which time he would have got a lot stronger. He should enjoy the rise to the seven furlongs and with Mickael Barzalona riding on his return, he should get his French racing career off to a winning start. MERCI POUR TOUT is a filly taking on the males. She made the natural improvement when finishing second over a mile on this course last time. She was given a seven-month break since that outing and would have strengthened up. If not in need of the run, she should be right there in the run down to the wire. CAP SKIRRING produced a decent debut effort when finishing fourth over 1500m at Deauville on the all-weather surface. The daughter of French Fifteen would have come on from the experience under her belt. She should come into this contest as one of the fitter horses and with in-form Maxime Guyon taking the ride, she has a good chance of running into the money once again. 

Race 5 – PRIX DU PALAIS-ROYAL (Group 3) 
The main event on the programme is a Group 3 contest for horses three years and older over seven furlongs. There are quite a few horses with decent chances of winning and caution is advised. The narrow first selection is AZANO. He made the trip across to Great Britain last time and did not shape. However, some of his form prior to that outing was decent. He has won once, finished second twice, and third once from seven attempts over this distance. He has been given the time to strengthen up since his last start and should have improvement to come. It is encouraging that Pierre-Charles Boudot takes the ride on his return and the combination may find themselves in the winner’s enclosure. SPINNING MEMORIES won a Listed Race well over this distance at Longchamp last time. The son of Arcano’s record over this distance is eye-catching having won four times and finishing third once from six attempts. Regular pilot Christophe Soumillon is in the saddle once again and the pair merits healthy respect. STUNNING SPIRIT showed signs of needing his comeback run over a mile at Chantilly last time. He has finished second in his only start on this course. Mickael Barzalona who was aboard the son of Invincible Spirit when winning his penultimate start, steps back into the saddle and the combination must be included.

Race 6 – PRIX DU PONT AU CHANGE
TONNENCOURT is the best bet on this afternoon’s programme. He was not disgraced when racing in Listed feature race company in his last two starts. He is lightly raced having had just the eight starts to date, winning twice and finishing third three times. He takes a drop-in class this afternoon and should take a power of beating. Pierre-Charles Boudot takes the ride for the first time and he may be able to coax a little bit extra out of the son of Pedro The Great where it matters most. MIDNIGHT SHINE was a tad disappointing in this class last time after winning his penultimate race well. His record when returning from a break is decent having won once and finishing second once from three starts. Mickael Barzalona steps back into the saddle this afternoon and the combination merit healthy respect. ECOLO ran a good race when finishing second over six furlongs at Fontainebleau last time. He has won once and finished third once from five attempts over this distance. He makes his course debut this afternoon and if suited to the track, he should be right there in the run down to the wire.


Race 7 – PRIX DE DOUVILLE
LA REGLE DU JEU is a filly taking on the males. She has produced some fair recent form on the all-weather surface. The transfer to the turf should suit her well as she finished third in her only start on this course. She should come into this race as one of the fitter horses and on best form shown, may be the one to cause the upset. JAAYIZ produced a decent comeback run when finishing a length behind the winner over this distance at Saint-Cloud last time. He has won twice, finished second once and third twice from twelve attempts over this trip. He should strip a much fitter horse this afternoon and should be the one to pick up the pieces should the top selection fluff her lines. KNOW IT’S POSSIBLE showed some signs of returning to best form in his last start over 1900m at Deauville on the all-weather surface. He has won twice and finished second once from nine starts on the turf. If confirming his recent improvement, he should have a good chance of running into the money.

Race 8 – PRIX DES EPINETTES
TARIDA has very good consistent form lines to her credit. She has won once and finished second three times from as many starts this season. Pierre-Charles Boudot who has been aboard the daughter of Charm Spirit in her last two starts, retains the ride. With a bit of luck in running from her wide draw, she should be the one they all have to beat. FAITHFULLY MAN got back to winning ways in his last start over 1500m at Pont De Vivaux on the all-weather surface. The transfer to the turf should not pose an issue as he has finished second once on the surface in the past. He has won twice from four attempts over this distance. Maxime Guyon takes the ride this afternoon and the pair should pose a threat to the top selection. MY CHARMING PRINCE got back to winning ways over this distance at Longchamp when returning from a two-month break last time. He has won twice and finished second once from as many attempts over this distance. If repeating his latest effort, he should be right there in the run down to the finishing post.

Race 9 – PRIX DES BATIGNOLLES 5 4 1 
REUX is the value bet on today’s card. He produced a decent comeback run when finishing four lengths behind the winner over this distance at Longchamp last time. He is having his second run after a rest today and should strip a much fitter horse. Christophe Soumillon takes the ride for the first time and he may be able to coax that little bit extra out of him where it matters most. JENUFA is a filly taking on the males. She ran a very good race when finishing second behind My Charming Prince who takes part in Race 8 on today’s card. His progress in that race will need to be monitored. Vincent Cheminaud retains the ride and the combination should be right there in the fight to the finish. KENDISS has finished second in her last five starts, four of which were on the all-weather surface. Maxime Guyon knows her well and the combination have a good chance of being rewarded for consistency today.