With French racing seemingly on the way back to our screens we have taken a look at the Poule dEssai des Poulains. This is their version of the 2000 Guineas and it looks as though the extra time we have to to wait will be more than worth it.
Andre Fabre evidently has the strongest hand with Victor Ludorum (3/1) & Earthlight (4/1).
The former was 3/3 as a 2-y-o finishing off his juvenile campaign with a victory in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere where Aidan O’Brien’s Armory finished back in third.
Fabre has had an illustrious career training many top class horses so his comparison between this colt and the legendary Mill Reef speaks volumes.
The second favourite needs little introduction to UK punters. A son of the late Shamardal, Earthlight won the Darley Prix Morny before travelling over to UK to win the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.
He went off 11/4 and stayed on strongly in the latter stages of the race; looking ready made for the mile trip.
Last year’s winning trainer also has a horse to note at a much bigger price. 16/1 shot Ocean Atlanique is by the triple crown hero American Pharoah owned by Mrs. Magnier, Mr. Tabor & Mrs. Smith.
He won impressively by lengths at Saint-Cloud in October, finished over 15l ahead of third and shouldn’t be underestimated.
This race is reportedly set to take place June 1st but we await confirmation.