6 September 2019
Photo scoopdyga.com
Five 2-year old colts were confirmed Friday in the Prix des Chenes (Gr3), a mile race leading to the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Gr1), the French Grand Criterium scheduled four weeks later on the same course and distance as part of the Arc weekend. The titleholder Anodor finished fourth in the juvenile classic last year, while National Defense took the third place in the 2017 Prix des Chênes before winning the Critérium at Chantilly.
Famous names such as Cloth of Stars, Olmedo and Ectot are featured in the race's roll of honour, but they emerged as top performers a season later.
This year's small field could reveal a budding champion. It could be Happy Bere (Pedro the Great), who has just won the Prix François Boutin (L), or the potential favourite from Britain, Al Dabaran (Dubawi), who beat a solid field at Ascot over 7 furlongs. The Wertheimers enter two colts trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias. Both won for their debut: Hopeful (Motivator) just edged Pao Alto, another Wertheimer homebred who won Thursday night at ParisLongchamp in a very convincing style, while Ecrivain (Lope de Vega) is the pick of the stable jockey, Maxime Guyon, probably convinced by the ground he made up to win on his first outing.
Troilus (Siyouni) was supplemented to participate. Along with Hopeful, he's the only runner that's not in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1).
In the fillies equivalent of the Prix d'Aumale (Gr3), the Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr1) is the final goal.
The race has not produced a winner of the "Boussac" in recent years but Wild Illusion was third there before winning the Critérium. In 2007, African Rose finished 2rd and became a Group 1 winner over 6 furlongs in England!
They are eight at the start to succeed Rocques, and one of the most intriguing entries is the Japanese-bred Savarin (Deep Impact), who made such a nice impression for her victorious debut at Deauville. Several runners are, like her, still new to racing, and are trying their luck here immediately after their first win, with the exception of the English raider Alpinista (Frankel), who failed in a Group 3 at Goodwood after her victorious debut but it looks like she lost her chances acting up before the start that day. Nunzia (Epaulette) was beaten by Kenway last time out, the latter winning the Prix La Rochette since the in record time. More experienced still with her three outings, Kenlova (Kendargent) has already twice finished third at this level.