UK//IRE//FR- French 1000 & 2000 Guineas

[tenfurlongs]

Very busy weekend for European racing, the highlight being the French 1000 & 2000 Guineas for 3yo fillies & 3yo colts at Longchamp on Sunday. I like the somewhat literal translation of the race names (Poule d'Essai des Pouliches & Poule d'Essai des Poulains), the 'Chicken Test for Fillies' & the 'Chicken Test for Foals'. Because it makes me smile. And picture chickens running at top speed...




But I digress.








Sunday

FR- Longchamp


GOING: Very Soft


LON R5 (9:50am ET)- 1m Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Group 1) (3yo Fillies) (Grande Course) (Turf) (3yo)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/211/longchamp/2024-05-12/868322


LON R6 (10:30amET)- 1m Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Group 1) (3yo Colts) (Grande Course) (Turf) (3yo)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/211/longchamp/2024-05-12/868323





TW

[spiderjohn]

should be interesting to watch--thank you for the heads up!

[tenfurlongs]

GOING: Soft


LON R5 (9:50am ET)- 1m Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Group 1) (3yo Fillies) (Grande Course) (Turf) (3yo)



www.racingpost.com/racecards/211/longchamp/2024-05-12/868322

# HORSE M/L ODDS

1 ROUHIYA 15/1 -

2 VESPERTILIO 8/1 -

3 ROSE BLOOM (IRE) 20/1 -

4 SEE YOU AROUND (IRE) 15/1 -

5 SPARKLING PLENTY 9/1 -

6 MINOUSHKA (GB) 15/1 -

7 OPERA MUNDI (IRE) 15/1 -

8 ROMANTIC STYLE (IRE) 4/1 -

9 ROCK'N SWING (GB) 12/1 -

10 CHIC COLOMBINE 10/1 -

11 TULIPA CHOPE 12/1 -

12 KATHMANDU (IRE) 20/1 -

13 FOLGARIA (IRE) 3/1 -

14 CONTENT (IRE) 7/2 -

15 LOUISE PROCTER 6/1 -


#2- Vespertilio (8-1) is one of only two runners (Content) without a start in 2024. Drew wide in PP11, never been a mile. Horse did progress beautifully in four 2yo efforts, with a second to Oaks contender Ylang Ylang in a GIII, then a win in a GII at the Curragh, and finally a good second behind Fallen Angel in the Moyglare Stud (GI). Have to rely on McCreery to have her ready, but the horse may appreciate the drying out ground more than many that were entered here with softer conditions in mind. #13- Folgaria (3-1) is an undefeated (6-for-6) Italian-based runner with Marco Botti, ridden by Hollie Doyle. She was aboard for the 3yo debut, a victory in the GIII Dubai Duty Free S. at Newbury where she defeated subsequent English 1000 Guineas winner Elmalka. Handles all ground, would be quite a story with a success today. 

QUI- 2,13/8,10,11,14,15  Result: 1,12,2  Never gave a look to the Aga Khan runner Rouhiya ($63.40) which had only an AW win to her credit coming in. Nice ride from Maxime Guyon who didn't panic while he was short of room in the first half of the race, in between runners with a very rank filly on his outside. Vespertilio (17-1) made a solid late run but just came up short in a race where it was tough to make up much ground on the pace-setter which held for second. 




LON R6 (10:30amET)- 1m Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Group 1) (3yo Colts) (Grande Course) (Turf) (3yo)



www.racingpost.com/racecards/211/longchamp/2024-05-12/868323

# HORSE M/L ODDS

1 KERAN 7/1 -

2 ROSHVAR 20/1 -

3 ORNE (IRE) 12/1 -

4 BEAUVATIER 8/1 -

5 RAMADAN 4/1 -

6 METROPOLITAN 20/1 -

7 DANCING GEMINI (IRE) 20/1 -

8 SUPERCOOLED (IRE) 5/1 -

9 PUCHKINE 10/1 -

10 HENRY LONGFELLOW (IRE) 5/2 -

11 EBEN SHADDAD (USA) 12/1 -

12 ALCANTOR 15/1 -

13 DIEGO VELAZQUEZ (IRE) 12/1 -


I've been following #4- Beauvatier (8-1) since last summer. He went into the Grand Criterium (GI) undefeated and was only beaten 2+ lengths by Rosallion (English 2000 Guineas 2nd) and Unquestionable (BC Juv Turf winner). Finished second to wire-to-wire winner Ramadan in GIII prep over C&D last month, and was not all out to win watching the jockey in the last 100 yards. Main goal was today, and should get a square price. #10- Henry Longfellow (5-2) is the likely favorite, undefeated in three 2yo starts including the National S. (GI) at the Curragh over good ground. Son of Dubawi should want every bit of a mile now, and probably has a Derby run in his future.

WIN- 4  QUI- 4,10/5,11,12    Result: 6,7,12  Another longshot winner as Metropolitan ($50.60) saved all the ground from his rail draw, moved to the front at the inside rail cutaway and just held off a host of closers. Beauvatier never looked comfortable far back in the field and always had too much to do.


Good luck if you play, and you should.



 



TW

[tenfurlongs]

LON R7- 1m2f Prix Saint-Alary (Group 2) (3yo Fillies) (Grande Course) (Turf)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/211/longchamp/2024-05-12/868380

Seven 3yo fillies going a mile-and-a-quarter. Taking a shot with two improving horses, #2- Almara (4-1) which ran a good second first time on the grass last out, may appreciate firmer going today; also using outsider #4- Birthe (8-1) which won her turf debut last time at one of the provincial tracks, love the pedigree on this one and looking for a forward move again today.

EX- 2,4/2,4,5,7  Result: 4,2,1  Exacta $112.80  Birthe ($23.60) did indeed jump up today in Graded-company, sitting a similar trip to 2000 Guineas winner Metropolitan, saving all the ground until the cutaway then gradually wearing down longtime leader Almara. Closers weren't making up much ground in this one either.



LON R8- 5f Prix de Saint-Georges (Group 3) (3yo+) (Sprint Course) (Turf)

www.racingpost.com/racecards/211/longchamp/2024-05-12/868381

Team Valor is in the house, and has a big shot, I feel. #6- Go Athletico (5-1) has found his niche in Ireland as a sprinter, had a fine 5yo season with a GIII win at the Curragh. I think trainer Ado McGuinness has found a soft spot with a nice purse. Same can be said for the 5yo mare #7- Makarova (4-1) which gets 4lbs from the males for Ed Walker/Tom Marquand, was not beaten far in the Prix De L'Abbaye (GI) by Highfield Princess here last fall.

WIN- 6  QUI- 6,7/1,2  Result: 2,7,8  Quinella $24.80  Ponntos ($10.60) was one I followed the last two winters at Meydan in Dubai. He won this event two years ago under Frankie Dettori in a similar jailbreak fashion, never had an anxious moment today after breaking on top. Makarova ran a very good race, finishing strongly for second after trailing early on. Bet that one back. Go Athletico didn't show much today, rider was already asking at halfway, ended up beaten over seven lengths.




TW

[1hooper]

Just watched R3 and it looks firm to me.

[spiderjohn]

Just got in
And just missed each way with #4 Delmanndi
Place might be decent

A lot of Aidan at leopardstown

Interesting g morning where I really don’t have a clue

[spiderjohn]

Almost 10f
McCreery is sneaky good
Nothing for me there

[1hooper]

Due to the storm that hit #ParisLongchamp, the start of the #Emirates #UAE Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Gr1) has been postponed to 5:05 p.m.

11:05 EST

[spiderjohn]

Boxing 2-5-8-12
No clue
Wet

[tenfurlongs]

Replays:


1000 Guineas-




2000 Guineas-




Prix Saint-Alary-

Prix de Saint-Georges-

TW