Inspections at Ascot, Gowran Park and Haydock look likely to give us some major pointers for the upcoming spring months if they go ahead on Saturday – but we’ll also have clues of a different kind from Cagnes-Sur-Mer on Saturday afternoon.
Irish trainer Aido McGuinness saddles Bowerman in the 14.50 at the French track as he looks to seal his place at All-Weather Finals Day at Lingfield on Good Friday.
The recent Dundalk winner is odds-on to win the fast-track qualifier at the French track and having claimed the scalps of Princess Yaiza and No Needs Never in his two Dundalk wins last month – this field should prove no match for him.
Further enhancing his chance is the eye-catching booking of Arc winning jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot. He drops back to 1m on Saturday having won over an extended 1m 2f last time at Dundalk and I’d expect Boudot not to complicate things from stall five and make use of his now proven stamina.
Of those that line up against him, Rocquement is perhaps his biggest threat coming off the back of an odds-on success over course and distance just two weeks ago – but this looks to require a marked step up to figure against the Irish challenger.
Volfango is another that on his day could be capable of figuring, but has been a beaten favourite on both his previous runs in lesser company.
Bowerman is currently a 16/1 shot in the market for the Mile Championships in April in what looks like a stacked field given former Group 1 winners Accidental Agent and Librisa Breeze are double-figure prices in the market.
Trainer John Gosden’s progressive four year old Alrajaa currently heads the market at 3/1 and it’s hard to argue against him being the standard setter coming in fresh off the back of a four timer.
If the 16/1 about Bowerman for the Good Friday showpiece hasn’t got you purring already – a double for him to win the qualifier tomorrow and claim glory on Good Friday is available at 25/1.
The latest racing odds are just a click away on PP.comThis could be the value play if all all goes to plan in France.