Palais-Royal: Spinning Memories tries again

A 7-furlongs race exceptionally run at Clairefontaine pending the reopening of ParisLongchamp, the Prix du  Palais-Royal (Gr3) is an interesting test for flyers. This year, in the absence of foreign runners due to the sanitary restrictions, the race is still run on it usual late May slot. It will be particularly interesting to observe the return to France of Azano (Oasis Dream), gelded since his last outing across the Channel and a regular feature last season among the elite of his generation. Spinning Memories (Arcano) finished fourth in this race last year - a particularly high-profile edition - after a winning comeback. She has once again won the Maurice Zilber (L) lately. Will she win this time?

1. Milord’s Song (h4, FRA by Siyouni and Secret Melody, by Inchinor) Rating: 100
Supplemented here, he made the frame in almost all his races last year at 3 at distances close to this one and finished off the season with a brave second place on his first attempt over 7 furlongs. His best performance was, without doubt, his second place over 6 furlongs in the Prix Texanita (L) on heavy ground. He has already done well coming from the rear, which would be a good option with his #1 draw.

2. Stunning Spirit (h6, GB by Invincible Spirit and Stunning View, by Dynaformer) Rating: 109
Supplemented for his return in the Prix Bertrand du Breuil (Gr3), nine days ago when fifth without showing much, he had previously won a Listed race in Doha over the mile. This versatile horse is always doing his best in this category. Fifth in this race in 2018, he can once again be a live player.

3. Azano (g4, GB by Oasis Dream and Azanara, by Hurricane Run) Rating: 103
Gelded last September after finishing fifth out of five in a Group 2 at Doncaster, he had alternated good and poor form at the best level of the classic generation last season on both sides of the Channel with his previous trainer, John Gosden. He finds himself favourably placed here.

4. Stormbringer (g5, GB by Dutch Art and Riva Royale, by Royal Applause) Rating: 94
Consistent in handicaps across the Channel, he settled in France in the winter of 2018/2019 after being gelded. He did not really succeed in the first year but has just won for the first time on the Continent, by a head, in a handicap on the Chantilly all-weather in February. He will try to take on the best again after taking a 6lbs penalty.

5. Tertius (h4, FRA by Siyouni and Rhenania, by Shamardal) Rating: 98
Third last year to Spinning Memories in the Prix de Meautry (Gr3), he failed twice on softer ground then but finished third on his return on Chantilly's all-weather, running well. He has never tried this trip and has only run once over more than 6 1/2 furlongs two years ago for his mile debut, finishing fifth.

6. Spinning Memories (f5, IRE by Arcano and Hanalei Memories, by Hard Spun) Theoretical value / Rating: 49.5kg / 109
She has just won a Listed on this very distance at ParisLongchamp for her second outing of the year after finishing 6th on the PSF at Chantilly for her comeback. Fourth in this race last year, she is sometimes overly keen and did her best when coming from the rear, as she did in her last outing, on very soft ground.

7. Devil (h3, IRE by Siyouni and Burma Sea, by Lope de Vega) Value / Rating: 48.5kg / 107
Bred by his owners, he won for his debut in the Prix de Tancarville at Deauville but then failed in the Darley Prix Morny (Gr1). A month later, however, he redeemed himself in the Prix Eclipse (Gr3) over 6 furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte, where he once again took the second place in the Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte (Gr2). Eighth and last for his return in the Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr3), he returns here on a shorter distance and meets his elders for the first time.