Qatar Prix De l'Abbaye De Longchamp 2010

12.35 Longchamp

Qatar Prix De l'Abbaye De Longchamp (Group 1) (2YO plus)

Winner €143,025 - Draw Advantage: Low to middle

Picks: Lady Of The Desert (win, but Swiss Diva if ground goes to Heavy) Amico Fritz each/way

Blue Jack: Won 4 times last year for William Muir and gave impression that switch to Dascombe yard may even have improved him judged on impressive win (looked group sprinter in waiting); Confirmed that promise when he came home late and fast in Place House Stakes but hasn’t gone on at Group level since, and set to struggle here.

Bluster: Has run against, and been beaten by, Amico Fritz, Planet Five, Marchand D’Or and Swiss Diva, so hard to see him winning this.

Mar Adentro: Ran on really well to land handicap and held that form stepped up into Group 3 company last time, a rather well beaten second to Swiss Diva; Hard to see form reversal in this though.

Total Gallery: Did all his good work towards the end of last season, his biggest win coming in this very race and running a very good race with the world’s best in Hong Kong when last seen that year; Has lost his way since but looked on way back and this race is so open he can’t be discounted completely.

Prohibit: Has been steadily progressive this season, gradually making jump from handicapper to pattern sprinter (a gap that is closing faster and faster), benefitting from excellent rides given by Soumillion (Christophe) and Spencer (Jamie) to win twice; Similar ride will be a lot trickier to pull off given nature of Longchamp’s sprint course, but he’ll be coming hard and late and may well be one to play.

Marchand D’or: Won this race in great style 2 years ago, before losing way since badly; Looked on way back when good winner of Prix De Saint Georges before good third in Prix Du Gros Chene but has been awful since, so passed over.

Moorhouse Lad: Clearly not as good as he once was and well beaten behind Group Aspect, Spin Cycle, Captain Dunne and likely to be back marker here.

Chopquest: Has failed to deal with the steep step up in class since winning his first 3 races on the bounce and set to struggle here.

Mister Hughie: Lost confidence after having suffered a fall but has come back better than ever with fourth (running on) in King George Stakes at Goodwood, and then coming just on top in Beverly Bullet Stakes; Well beaten at Group 3 level so hard to see him reversing that form, although he will like stiff test represented today.

Planet Five: Looked a future start in the making before losing his way when stepped up in class last season; Right back to best when he won the Group 2 Prix de Gros-Chene at Chantilly, but failed to stay extra distance in Maurice De Gheest last time; Good enough if he runs to best.

Artic: Looked like an exciting prospect at 2 when winning at Bellewstown and Curragh, winning listed race by 5 lengths in latter start before he racked up hat trick in Tower Stakes; Disappointing in Middle Park and well beaten on reappearance but if fit and well, could run a big race as he does go well with cut.

Amico Fritz: Has seen a lot of track time this season, starting as early as April; Has also run some absolute crackers this year, beating beaten only 3&1/2 lengths by Starspangledbanner in Golden Jubilee; Ground out German Group 2 win form front in soft conditions and ridiculously overpriced here.

War Artist: Ran stormer to be sixth in Golden Jubilee but has failed to really hold form since, as he was entitled to win as he did when beating Tiza in Prix Des Ris Organis; Subsequent moderate defeats and a horror draw in 21 temper his chances a fair bit.

Judge In Jury: Handicapper who has very little chance despite possessing lot of speed.

Prime Defender: Back to form when fifth in Maurice De Gheest, before even better effort in Nunthorpe (fourth) but well beaten again last time and seems to need fast ground to run to his best.

Lady Of The Desert: Was arguably the top 2 year old filly for most of last season, with wins in the Lowther and Princess Margaret Stakes, both in impressive style; Was running well in unlucky circumstances at a mile earlier in season but has been transformed by drop in trip, coming second in Sprint Cup and coasting home in Diomed; Major chance if handling ground.


Rose Blossom: Impressive wins either side of her Queen Mary 7th last year, which is easily forgiven (raced impossible pace to keep that day) and ran respectably here in Flying Childers at end of season, showing plenty of promise; Blitzed rivals over 5f at York to begin season and when things have gone her way, she has been way too good for 9 rivals in Group 3 contest; Showed blistering pace in Nunthorpe and creditably only beaten 3 & ½ lengths; Disappointing however that she was beaten last time and this might be one race too much after a long season on soft ground.

Swiss Diva: Has been nothing short of brilliant this season, steadily progressing in recording a hat – trick of victories here, all on soft ground; Thrashed rivals in Prix Petit Couvert last time and must be main player and one to beat, as she will handle the ground and course.

Poppet’s Treasure: Has been very well suited by drop to 5f of late, but has behind Swiss Diva both times and was well beaten in Group 3 trial last time.

Piccadilly Filly: Holds some really good juvenile form over this trip in maidens and a French listed race; run with credit all starts this term (particularly when third in Nunthorpe) but soft ground could prove undoing.

Gilt Edge Girl: Thriving filly who progressed from handicaps to take a listed and Group 3 event this year; Best effort yet when close third in Germany (goes on soft ground) but was a little lacklustre in sixth last time, so more needed.

VERDICT: A strong British challenge as ever. If ground conditions worsen significantly, then the pick is Swiss Diva, but LADY OF THE DESERT looked like a machine when landing the Diomed and is worth chancing following strong support from Brian Meehan, who expects her to handle the ground. Planet Five needs considering (has won over 5f the only time he’s tried) but AMICO FRITZ is very overpriced as he goes right through soft ground and holds some very good form.