Bertrand du Breuil: The return of the milers' league

17 May 2020

Photo Prix Montjeu: scoopdyga.com

In 2020, the Prix Bertrand du Breuil Longines (Gr3) was removed from its usual Prix de Diane Longines-meeting, in mid-June, to May due to the reorganization of the program. It finds itself at the start of the aged milers' circuit leading to the 9-furlong Prix d'Ispahan (Gr1), which normally takes place before it and will this year be open to 3-year-olds, on July 19 at Chantilly. The Prix du Muguet (Gr2) is scheduled for June 28 (instead of May 1).

This new formula brought together nine runners, almost equally divided between full re-entrants and horses who ran in the Spring or even last Winter …

1. Skalleti (g5, FRA by Kendargent and Skallet, by Muhaymin) Rating: 112

Unbeaten since March 2019, he has won seven races since then over 1 to 1/4 mile and won two Group 2s in succession lately in France and Italy. However, he is back after six months out and will carry a 4lbs penalty.

2. Silver Quartz (g5, by Frankel and Rosamixa, by Linamix) Rating: 98

Imported from England after a series of failures, he started his first French season with two wins and a second place on the all-weather. So he will return to the turf here and move up a category. In his last win, he beat Impulsif, whom he finds here again, by more than two lengths.

3. Pretreville (h5, FRA by Acclamation and Pegase Hurry, by Fusaichi Pegasus) Rating: 103

Out since winning the Prix du Point du Jour - Haras de Bouquetot (L) at Craon in September, he was also moved for his previous yard and is, therefore, starting for his new connection. Often spotted leading the race, he is quite consistent but is facing better foes this time.

4. Anodor (g4, FRA by Anodin and Decize, by Kentucky Dynamite) Rating: 106

Winner of a good maiden race for his debut in August at 2 at Deauville, he went on to win the Prix des Chênes (Gr3), then took the third place in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1 ). Well beaten at 3 in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains (Gr1) for his return, and again after that, he came back in September to win a condition race over the mile and has not run since.

5. Impulsive (g5, GB by New Approach and Violante, by Kingmambo) Rating: 109

Winner of three consecutive races last summer, he ended the series with a success in the Prix Messidor (Gr3) in July. He did not reappear until October when he took the fourth place in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein (Gr2). For his return at Chantilly on the all-weather, in March over one mile, he finished third to Silver Quartz.

6. Nature’s Colors (h4, GB by Poet’s Voice and Sundrop, by Sunday Silence) Rating: 107

He started in August at 3 last year in Deauville with a fifth place on the all-weather, then won at Lyon-Parilly, at Compiègne, and more easily again this year for his return on the all-weather in March in the Prix Altipan (L).

7. Stunning Spirit (h6, GB by Invincible Spirit and Stunning View, by Dynaformer) Rating: 109

Supplemented in this race, he won in Doha a Listed over one mile last time out. Able to race ahead or wait in the rear, he fights every fight in this category and has already run well straight after a spell.

8. Lucky Team (h8, FRA by Namid and Kestria, by Keltos) Rating: 94

Off the handicaps brigade, he runs exclusively on all-weather and if he did not run from December 2018 to December 2019, he made up for lost time this winter since he ran five times, winning immediately. He was then beaten three times by Silver Quartz and recently also by Impulsif.

9. Plumatic (h6, GB by Dubawi and Plumania, by Anabaa) Rating: 115

He was one of the classic hopefuls at 3 but failed when facing the best of the bests. He managed to win at Group 3 in his next season, then won the Prix du Muguet (Gr2) last year for his return. Out five months after that, he still fought hard in the Prix Perth (Gr3) but had to settle for the third place. He has since changed trainer.