French 2000 Guineas 2010

2.50 Longchamp
Poule D'Essai Des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) (Group 1) (3YO only)
Winner €290,557
Pick: Dick Turpin

Rajasaman: Had been a useful if unspectacular 2 year old, winning a listed race before being beaten four lengths in a Group 3; Was used as a pacemaker but won Prix De Fontainebleau last time, beating Siyouni and Lope De Vega; Form cannot be taken at face value seeing as Siyouni took a while to get going and should be sharper but useful performance all the same.

Siyouni: Had looked like massive talking horse when winning first four starts in seamless style; Ran into Cheveley Park winner in Special Duty and set plenty to do when second to Buzzword; Put up arguably best 2 year old performance in field to win Prix Jean Luc here on Arc weekend; Even allowing for lack of race – fitness he was disappointing on seasonal debut, hitting flat spot and coming home quick, but too late; Will do better but may have something to prove now.

Meezan: Looked like a useful sort when landing a decent handicap but one would have to think that he is flying too high here if he failed to win a conditions contest last time, for all that the step up to a mile will suit.

Shamalagan: Quickly exposed as 2 year old and same story as 3 year old, finishing well beaten sixth on both starts this year.

Lope De Vega: Won both his first starts in the style of an extremely smart colt, both by 2 and a half lengths before finish fourth in the Prix Jean Luc behind Siyoni; Beaten fair and square by that rival and Rajasaman last time and looks to have a bit to do.

Buzzword: Had a decent start to his career with a second and a win to his name, both at Windsor; Form has been well franked on both occasions and made eye-catching late progress to be 2nd behind runaway winner D**k Turpin in Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood; Was a bit disappointing when beaten by Shakespearian in the Solario, and put that right with good Group 3 win at Longchamp; Unable to confirm superiority over Siyouni in Group 1 and although he came out with credit when fifth in Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf last time, hard to see him winning here.

Poet’s Voice: Showed plenty of potential for all that he was very keen in the early part of last season (Broke out of stalls and managed to lose the Acomb Stakes by pulling to hard); Showed what he could do when beating Viscount Nelson in Champagne Stakes only to then run probably below his best when fourth in Middle Park; If staying, holds a decent chance.

Forum Magnum: Hasn’t shown anywhere near the level of form required to win this over trip too short anyway.
Boltcity: Won 4 out of his 7 races and looked smart prospect when winning unextended on the AW at Deauville on his 3 year old debut; Probably didn’t like the very soft ground last time behind 2,000 Guineas winner Makfi last time but needs a few to underperform based on his form.

Mata Kerangjang: Was very highly tried, pitched into listed company first time out and not only that, the form of his race was boosted by Special Duty, who won the Prix Robert Papin and went on to bigger things; Didn’t progress as expected last year and will need more from tough, though draw.

Mon Cadeux: Won twice as 2 year old and made a decent debut on seasonal reappearance when third behind Society Rock in 6f listed contest; Has a lot to make up on principals in form terms and not sure to say trip well enough to win.

Dick Turpin: Looked top prospect as a 2 year old, having landed a maiden, Conditions, Sales race and Group 2 Richmond Stakes; Didn’t get a run when 5th in the Prix Jean Luc and didn’t fire for whatever reason in Dewhurst afterwards; Has been different story this season though, winning the Greenham and only overhauled in last furlong of the 2,000 Guineas at Newmakret; Must have strong chance here on that form.

Mauled field on his return on heavy ground but even though this might be unfair on him, a more accurate reflection of his talents may be his sixth placed effort in the Criterium International last year.

Aldovarando: Got better of Autumn Stakes fourth Azizi in really good style on British / AW Debut at Kempton but was getting 8lbs from Classic Colori, who is weighted to turn around the form; Unless he is some way better than that result latter mentioned fact is insignificant.

Classic Colori: Showed a lot of promise as a 2 year old (may have been well beaten in Group 3 but faced very different conditions); Made a nice reappearance In Lingfield listed race but probably didn’t run to that standard when fourth behind Aldovarandi, despite carrying an 8lbs penalty; Only just weighted to reverse placings with Aldovarandi but not shown the form to do much else.

Zazou: Probably reached peak of powers when third behind Milkhail Glinka and Passion For Gold in Criterium De Saint Cloud; Won nicely on reappearance in Germany, and would have to hold some sort of chance here, so not discounted although he might have some ground to make up on the principals.

VERDICT: With last year’s Jardgere winner and the 2,000 Guineas second lining up, this has the look of a strong and informative classic. Sioyuni is favourite at an easy to back 11/4, but he does have something to prove after getting beaten in his trial. He can be expected to reverse form with Rajasaman, who is not a bad “fun” e/w bet for all he was gifted the lead that day. DICK TURPIN has instantly proved himself better at 3 than 2 with a win in the Greenham and a second in the 2,000, and must hold a strong chance on that run. Poet’s Voice should be respected but needs to prove he will stay, and Zazou has been overpriced for all that he has a poor draw.