International Racing: Lyon Parilly – Monday 25 May 2020

Racing is back at Lyon Parilly on Monday and an open looking ten-race programme is scheduled. There are two races for unraced juveniles and the betting market will need to be monitored closely. The best bet comes in Race 5 in the form of SOUVERAINE ELUSIVE. She was an easy winner of her last start over this distance at Saint-Cloud. She takes on similar company this afternoon and with Pierre-Charles Boudot in the saddle, she should take a power of beating. 

Other International Racing

Echuca 
Taree 
Neil Morrice Best Bets 

Best Bet: SOUVERAINE ELUSIVE (Race 5)
Value Bet: REAL FAN (Race 8) 

Race 1 – PRIX DE LA MARCHE
IMPERATORIO produced a promising debut effort when finishing third, five lengths behind the winner over this distance at Durtal. The son of Morandi would have come on from the experience and should make the natural improvement today. He gets the services of a 3.5kg claiming apprentice and from pole position, should be the one they all have to beat. OTELLO is an unraced son of Style Vendome from the Andrea Marcialis stable with Mickael Barzalona in the saddle. He does not need to be a stable superstar to win in this type of field and if not too green, should give the top selection a run for his money. WINVALCHOPE is a filly taking on the males. She finished runner-up on debut over the minimum distance at Chantilly. The daughter of Kheleyf would have come on from the outing and with the natural progression that is expected, she should be right there in the run down to the wire.

Race 2 – PRIX LA BELLE II
This is a race for two-year-old fillies that are having their first run. The betting market will be the best guide with regards to the chances of each runner. MARIE DE VEGA is a daughter of Lope De Vega from the Pascal Bary stable with Pierre-Charles Boudot doing duty. She cost her owners € 310,000. If not too green today, she may be the one they all have to beat. MAGNA MATER is a daughter of Zoffany from the powerful Andre Fabre yard. She cost Godolphin GNS 85,000 and she may be the one to throw out the biggest challenge to the top choice. SELKET hails from the Andrea Marcialis yard and Maxime Guyon is in the irons. She is a daughter of Danon Ballade and cannot be ignored.

Race 3 – PRIX HUNYADE
Another race where the betting will need to be closely monitored as this time it is a race for unraced two-year-old colts and geldings. ETHNIC TYPE hails from the powerful Jean-Claude Rouget yard and is a son of Fast Company. He cost his owners GNS 200,000. He gets the services of capable jockey Cristian Demuro and he may be the one they all have to beat if not too green. ALLEZ BARZA is a son of Dabirsim from the Andre Fabre yard with Mickael Barzalona in the saddle. He is very well bred and could be the one to throw out the biggest challenge to the top selection. ENTEI is a son of Motivator from the Mario Baratti stable with Maxime Guyon in the irons. He jumps from a positive barrier position and should be right there in the run down to the finishing post.

Race 4 – PRIX BRULEUR
This is a small and weak Maiden Plate for colts and geldings over ten furlongs and caution is advised. The narrow first selection is ARROGANTE with Theo Bachelot in the saddle. He produced a promising debut effort when finishing second and then was a tad disappointing next time out. The manner in which he races suggests that he will enjoy the step up to the ten furlongs. The son of Planteur tries the turf and if suited to the surface, may be the one they all have to beat. SUFFRAGE produced a fair debut effort over nine furlongs at Fontainebleau. He has been given a six-month break since that outing, during which time he would have strengthened up. Maxime Guyon retains the ride this afternoon and if not in need of this run, should be the one to pick up the pieces should the top selection fluff his lines. SITOUTVABIEN’S last start over nine furlongs was fair. It must be noted that his best efforts have been under today’s jockey, Tony Piccone. He should come into this race as one of the fitter horses and in this type of field, must be included in all bets.


Race 5 – PRIX D’AQUITAINE
SOUVERAINE ELUSIVE is the best bet on this afternoon’s programme. She was an impressive winner in this Class by three lengths over this distance at Saint-Cloud last time. She has won once and finished second once from as many attempts over this trip. Her record in the last twelve months is three wins, a second and three third-place finishes from nine starts. She gets the services of Pierre-Charles Boudot and from pole position, should take a power of beating. DEACON has very good form to his credit. He was an impressive winner of his last start in Class 3 company. He takes a rise in class this afternoon, but the manner in which he won last time suggests there is more to come. He has won once and finished third once from three attempts over this distance. Aurelien Lemaitre knows him well and the combination merits healthy respect. BELLARIVA has won twice and finished second once in her three efforts this season. She does take a step up in class this afternoon, but she is lightly raced and looks progressive. She does have a wide barrier position to overcome today, but Mickael Barzalona is in the saddle and she will get all the necessary assistance.

Race 6 – PRIX BASSE POINTE
LA GOLDEN HAVANA produced a promising debut effort when finishing second over 1900m on the all-weather surface at Deauville. She returns from a five-month break this afternoon, during which time she would have strengthened up. Mickael Barzalona does duty from pole position and with the natural improvement that is expected, she should go one better here. ZAHONY produced a decent debut effort when finishing fourth over 1900m on the all-weather surface at Chantilly. She would have come on from the experience under her belt and should make the natural progression. Stephane Pasquier retains the ride and the combination merit healthy respect. CULTURE CLASH is a daughter of Wootton Bassett with in-form Maxime Guyon in the irons. If not in need of this outing, she may have a say in the outcome of this contest.

Race 7 – PRIX DE BUZENVAL
This is a weak Claiming contest for horses aged four years and older over ten furlongs. Caution is advised and the narrow first choice is WHAT DO YOU SAY. He showed signs of needing his comeback run when finishing 1.2 lengths behind the winner over ten furlongs at Longchamp. He has won once and finished second once from five attempts over this distance. It is encouraging that Pierre-Charles Boudot retains the ride this afternoon and the combination should find themselves in the winner’s enclosure. IRON SPIRIT produced a moderate comeback run over this distance at Strasbourg last time. He has won three times, finished second seven times and third once from 22 attempts over this distance. The son of Turtle Bowl should strip a much fitter horse this afternoon and with Alexis Badel retaining the ride, he should pose a threat to the top choice. IL PITTORE produced a fair comeback run over a mile on this course last time. He will enjoy the rise in distance as he has finished second once and third twice from six attempts over this trip. It is interesting that jockey Christophe Soumillon rides the son of Mr Greeley today. From barrier position three, the pair cannot be ignored.

Race 8 – PRIX DU JARDIN STERN
REAL FAN is the value bet on today’s card. She showed signs of needing her last start over 1500m at Pont De Vivaux. She has won once and finished second once from five attempts over this distance. She should strip a much fitter horse this afternoon and with Mickael Barzalona in the saddle, she may be the one they all have to beat in this type of field. NYAKIM has not finished too far off the winner in recent outings on the all-weather surface. It must be noted that she finished third in her only start on this course. She is a much better horse on the turf and must be included in all bets. THE FUNK BIBLE is a maiden taking on winners, but his last two starts have been good. He has finished third twice from three starts over this distance and despite the wide barrier draw, he gets the services of Pierre-Charles Boudot who will give him all the necessary assistance from the saddle.

Race 9 – PRIX DE JUVISY
This is another weak Claiming contest and caution is advised. The tentative first selection is HOLDGREEN who produced a decent comeback run over 3000m at Angers last time. He will enjoy the drop in distance today as he has won three times and finished second four times from eleven attempts. He gets the services of his regular pilot who is a 1.5kg claiming apprentice. He should strip a much fitter horse and has a good chance of notching up his tenth career victory. SHAKEN NOT STIRRED has shown good signs of returning to best form in his last two starts. He has won once and finished second once from four starts over this distance. Maxime Guyon steps back into the saddle and the combination may be the ones to throw out the biggest challenge to the top choice. FLUTE EN SOL is a filly taking on the males. She has some decent recent form on the all-weather surface. The transfer back to the turf should not pose an issue as she has won on the surface in the past. Pierre-Charles Boudot steps into the saddle for the first time and he may be able to coax that little bit extra out of her where it matters most.

Race 10 – PRIX DE MIDI-PYRENEES
ULAN was an impressive maiden winner in his last start over ten furlongs at Compiegne. He does take on stronger company this afternoon, but he is lightly raced and looks to be progressive. He has no stamina doubts as he finished second in his penultimate effort over this distance. Christophe Soumillon keeps faith in the ride and the combination should find themselves in the winner’s enclosure. SMART COOKIE was not beaten far when returning from a six-month break over this course and distance last time. The daughter of Air Chief Marshal should strip a much fitter horse this afternoon and with the services of a 2.5kg claiming apprentice, she should be right there in the run down to the finishing post. ALBICELESTE has produced two decent efforts since winning his maiden race. He has won once and finished third once from three attempts over this distance. The son of Olympic Glory should come into this race fit and well and must have a decent chance of earning another cheque.