The restrictions are finally lifting in France and this week we find racing returning to Paris for the first time since May 16th. There are some pretty exciting cards coming up throughout the week with Auteuil on Tuesday and ParisLongchamp on Thursday (morning/early afternoon because of high temperatures forecast). Although we can’t go to the racing just yet over here in France, I have picked out a few horses to follow across the two cards and hopefully we can make a profitable return to Paris.
NAP – Auteuil 13.25 – Mon Mec A Moi
This is an avenue I have been going down a lot recently but as it is proving to be quite lucrative I will continue to do so. Claiming jockey Charlotte Prichard has been teaming up with trainer David Cottin of late and the two have been extremely successful with over 50% strike rate when running in claimers.
Mon Mec A Moi finished second last time out in a very similar race and was not helped by a poor performance in the saddle by Pauline Dominois. Prichard gets back on board here (having won on the horse back in January) and Mon Mec A Moi should benefit from a three month break to freshen up and has always looked like a horse that should suit Auteuil. Extremely well positioned due to the conditions of this race I envisage Mon Mec A Moi will set off in front like so many of this trainers runners and shouldn’t see a rival.
N/B – Auteuil 11.10 – Gary Du Chenet
He has been a little disappointing since returning to action after lockdown but I am hoping that the return to Auteuil will spark up a revival in Gary Du Chenet. The Marcel Rolland-trained gelding showed lots of promise in the Spring time especially when finishing third to the very talented Nanosecond in a good race over today’s course and distance.
The yard reports suggested that Gary Du Chenet may have needed those first few runs back and he is without doubt the horse with the most potential in the field. It will be interesting to see if Gessekille wins the first race of the day as Gary Du Chenet has very strong from with this horse and a success from Gessekille could be a good indicator. I think this horse still could have a big future ahead of him, especially around Auteuil and I would be very surprised if he doesn’t run a big race here.
Later on in the week…
Longchamp Thursday
There is a couple of horses that are of interest on the card at this early stage but the one that takes the eye the most would have to be Telecaster (10.10) from the Hughie Morrison yard. Given a handicap mark of 51kgs, this English raider is extremely well placed in this Group Three race over the colts optimal distance.
Of the remaining five French runners in this race, Romanciere is possibly the most solid but will struggle to beat likely favourite Telecaster who finished an excellent third in a similar race at Haydock a few weeks ago. Assuming that the travel across to France goes as expected (with a slight worry over the extremely high temperatures forecast) for me Telecaster looks the best bet on the card at Longchamp.
Trainer Andrea Marcialis has been on fire with his two-year-olds this season and should take the first race of the day with Recuerdame (8.40). The daughter of Gutaifan progressed nicely from her debut third to finish a strong second when upped to today’s distance. The winner that day was very well backed and Recuerdame looked quite unfortunate to have bumped into a good one. Thursday’s field looks slightly easier and with the current form of the Marcialis runners in claimers, it would be tough to see this one beaten, especially if she is ridden by a claiming jockey.
Ex-John Gosden recruit Azano (11.10) made an exciting start for new trainer Francis Graffard when finishing second at Clairefontaine a few weeks ago. Before the race connections were unsure If the gelding would need the run or not and considering he has beaten only one length at the finish that must be a sign of further improvement to come. 1,400m around ParisLonchamp looks tailormade for the gelding who finished ahead of some of these rivals last time out and he should go very close in this race.