3.50 Longchamp
Qatar Prix Dollar (group 2) (3YO plus)
Winner €83,044
Picks: Shimraan (win), Zazou (each/way)
Shimraan: Showed promise on first couple of starts, only just getting beaten by very useful Air Trooper on second start; Improved to land Prix Eugene Adam and didn’t like 12 furlongs last time in GP De Deauville, unable to do better than fourth; Handles soft ground just fine and will be tough to beat on best form.
Poet: Thrived for Aidan O'Brien in 2009, winning 3 times including Group 3 Kilternan Stakes: Lost form very quickly for new yards, coming unplaced on string of occasions in Dubai; Has returned to form for new yard but this toughest test yet, even though he loves cut.
Cirrus Des Aigles: Romped away with Prix du Conseil de Paris before an even better fifth to Daryakana in the Hong Kong Vase last year; hasn’t been anywhere near same form, so hard to evaluate even though he won listed event last time.
Distant Memories: Tough and consistent performer who's sure to run his race, only just getting outstayed in final stages of race behind Red Badge in Newbury listed contest; Has since won Winter Hill Stakes but this is a tougher contest, on much softer ground.
The Bogberry: Been out of form for a long time, and looks to have no hope here.
Three Bodes: Has been promising but inconsistent, coming very close to very good horses before then putting in some rather average efforts, possibly including last time when beaten by Cirrcus Des Aigles; This tougher.
Budai: Has been in sterling form on 3 of this last 4 starts, his best effort coming in a close defeat to Vision D’Etat; Handled very soft ground and major chances on form, the only problem being that this is a very tough spot.
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 has gotten better with racing, winning German Group 2, nearly winning the German Derby before coming a close third in Group 1 last time; Should hold excellent claims if running as well again.
Cima De Triomphe: Holds some very high class form over in Italy, America and now Australia (although back with Italian connections); Seems to be struggling to find his best form and percentage call is to avoid.
Shamalagan: Quickly exposed as 2 year old and it had been same story as 3 year old, finishing well beaten sixth on both starts this year, before staying on third in French 2,000 Guineas; Now quite inconsistent, is only good run behind a second to Shimraan, and will need to improve a bit to take major hand.
VERDICT: In a race where many have chances, SHIMRAAN arguably sets the standard based on his earlier Group 2 win in the Prix Eugene Adam 2 stars ago, and given that he handles soft ground OK, he may just be good enough. I’d take ZAZOU each/way over a number of alternatives.
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