SAFETY in numbers so they say.
It’s worked for Willie Mullins, and now Aidan O’Brien opts for the same mantra in Sunday’s first French Classics.
In the Group 1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas) the master of Ballydoyle unleashes Henri Matisse, Camille Pissarro, and Serengeti, likely to be in as a pacemaker.
Then in the Group 1 Poule de’Essai des Pouliches O’Brien relies on Exactly, Bedtime Story, Merrily, and Heavens Gate. Wham Bam!
The Poulains looks a cracker, and features the impressive Greenham winner Jonquil, Jessica Harrington’s talented Hotazhell and Godolphin’s Aomori City, smashed up by Field of Gold in the Craven.
Henri Matisse and Camille Pissarro could both win.
The former was sensational when landing the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar in November, a race in which Aomori City was a running-on third.
Camille Pissarro has been a short price in nearly every start, but the one he went off at lengthy odds was when he took the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at this track.
Field Of Gold was fourth that day, while another challenger tomorrow Misunderstood was third.
Camille Pissarro had a prep for this at the Curragh on March 29 running on into second under a penalty.
It was an eye-catching effort and suggested stamina no issue.
Detain and Luther also clash after finishing first and second at Chelmsford.
Both have masses to find on paper, although I suspect of the pair Luther will come out on top.
A fascinating renewal. It won’t surprise me at all if Aomori City runs huge.
As for the Pouliches, all eyes are on Zarigana for the excellent Francis-Henri Graffard.
The daughter of Siyouni, out of a Frankel mare, is closely related to superstar Zarkava but suffered a shock defeat in the Prix Marcel Boussac over Arc weekend.
She was sent off 1-2 that day and looked a tricky ride.
This season she returned by denying Shes Perfect, who goes again for Charlie Fellowes and Kieran Shoemark, in the Group 3 Prix de la Grotte.
That’s a traditional trial for the Pouliches, and it may be that Zarigana is just too classy. But she will have to swoop late.
Bedtime Story once looked like an absolute machine for O’Brien, landing the Chesham at Royal Ascot by nearly ten lengths.
At the time she looked a monster.
But later she got stuffed in both the Moyglare and Marcel Boussac.
It’s possible she’s best fresh.
Exactly is exposed and was beaten in a Group 3 at Leopardstown in March.
She would have to do much better to win here but might improve a lot for the effort.
Graffard also relies on the unbeaten Mandanaba, by sire of the moment Ghaiyyath. If it turns into a true stamina test few will gallop stronger than her.
On the home front on Saturday it’s about the Lingfield Derby and Oaks Trials and, if you like a big betting race, the Victoria Cup at Ascot.
Just three runners in the Oaks trial and it will be a major shock if Giselle (1.15 Lingfield) doesn’t hack up for O’Brien.
There is a little concern with a first time hood, but Giselle is already the best on paper and she’s bred to get better with age and distance.
The daughter of Frankel was last seen in a Group 3 at the Curragh when not getting a clear run and finishing fourth (promoted to third) behind stable companion Whirl.
She had a blip in her training regime before that effort and is probably better than we saw.
As for the colts equivalent, Stay True may have much more to come but I like the experience of O’Brien stable companion Puppet Master (3.00 Lingfield) who looks to be crying out for this trip.
He stayed on well last time when fourth behind Delacroix at Leopardstown in the Ballysax and the run strongly suggested he had more to give.
Having had a few goes he should cope with this track no problem.
Over at Ascot I’ll take a chance Metal Merchant (2.40) doesn’t find the ground too fast in the Victoria Cup.
But I’ll turn to Haydock and the Swinton Handicap Hurdle for my best bet of the day.
Lanesborough (1.35 Haydock) lacks experience but could be chucked in off 116.
He’s a real improver who was second off 103 before hacking up off 108 at Warwick over a slightly longer trip.
I can see him loving coming off a strong gallop for Ben Pauling and Ben Jones. After six races he could have loads more to give.
Plenty in the Swinton to choose from for an insurance bet.
Good luck and Yeeehaaa!
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