Horse Racing tips: Paddy trader’s four best bets for this weekend’s action in France and the USA

Saturday 11.35am – Auteuil

* Queen Du Berlais @ 4/1

The Prix Wild Monarch on Saturday is the first big 3-year-old race of the season and is restricted to unraced horses. Cheltenham winning trainer David Cottin is in great form and is bound to have targeted this race, with both Baronne du Berlais and Queen Du Berlais entered.

Queen Du Berlais with the jockey booking of Kevin Nabet takes the eye.

Saturday 1.35pm – Auteuil

* Figuero @ 13/8

The Prix Murat is one of the main trials for the Grand Steeple which is coming up in about three weeks. Last year’s Grand Steeple winner Carriacou continues his preparation here but trainer Isabelle Pacault is likely to have left plenty for the horse to work on between now and the big day, so the preference is for Figuero who can overcome his penalty and possibly book his place in the big race.

This is a seriously impressive young chaser who demolished the field in the Prix Maurice Gillois and was a ready winner back over hurdles before the enforced break. The Nicolle stable has showed no signs of rust since the resumption of racing on Monday. The doubt about him for the Grand Steeple would be that he is only five and owner/trainer already have three or possibly four other runners. But they are very sporting and it is likely that a good performance here will force their hand.

MORE TIPS:

• Don’t miss our four to score at Auteuil this Saturday
• Paddy’s traders pick out the best bets at Strasbourg on Saturday

Saturday 9.52pm – Gulfstream

* Noor Sahara @ 4/1

In Race 9 at Gulfstream over in Florida, USA, Chad Brown runs Noor Sahara for the first time. She was a very useful filly in France and Chad is able to work magic with these French imports time in, time out.

Irad Ortiz takes the ride which is notable over the other Chad Brown filly Tapit Today who looks quite accomplished herself, and I think Noor Sahara is the best bet to be had on Saturday evening.

Sunday 3.25pm – Auteuil

* Dream Wish

The Prix Jean Stern is a Grade 2 trial for the Prix Ferdinand Darfour, the 2nd big 4-year-old Steeplechase in France which is run in three weeks’ time.

The first four from the Prix d’Anjou in March meet again from when you could throw a blanket over them. The very game grey frontrunner Dream Wish is at least 1kg better off than the other three horses from that run and he can come out best. Gardens de Sourire is also a very promising young horse but it might be too soon for him taking on the more battle-hardened runners.

MORE TIPS:

• Don’t miss our four to score at Auteuil this Saturday
• Paddy’s traders pick out the best bets at Strasbourg on Saturday
• Our tasty treble for Saturday’s Bundesliga action