Prix Ganay 2011

2.45 Longchamp

Prix Ganay - Prix Air Mauritius (Group 1) (4yo+) (Turf) (4yo+) Winner £147,776

Good 1m2f110y

Pick: Cape Blanco (win)

Cirrus Des Aigles: Enjoyed his usual consistent campaign in France last year (won Group 2 here) before then seeking Group 1  glory in Asia (without success); Made a good reappearance when just behind Polytechnichen but this much harder.

Planteur: Was one of best three year olds last season, winning Group 2 before making frame in Prix Du Jockey Club, Grand Prix De Paris & Prix Niel; Not up to the task in Arc/Hong Kong Cup but serious performance when disposing of decent field with contemptuous ease on reappearance and will take some beating.

Pouvoir Absolut:  Pacemaker for Planteur.

Ley Hunter: Interesting/Progressive individual; never been out of the first two in six outings; finished last year with a Listed victory at Deauville and stepped forward when trying to catch Planteur from behind here latest; Has a future ahead of him but this asking a lot.

Silver Pond: Three from three last year, impressive winner of Prix Hocquart on last start; Made a highly promising comeback in the Group 3 Prix Exbury at Saint-Cloud but well beaten by Planteur and Ley Hunter and bigger days for him.

Cape Blanco: Built on unbeaten juvenile season with thoroughly progressive campaign as a 3 year old, beating Workforce in Dante and then when second in King George, not to mention landing Irish Derby and Irish Champion Stakes, trashing high class field; Couldn’t handle the soft ground in the Arc but that effort forgiven and major player here on creditable fourth in farcically slowly run Dubai World Cup latest; Promises to go well.

Sarafina: Created deep impression on maiden and made seamless transition to top level with a Group 1 double, winning the Prix Saint Alary and French Oaks with ease and class; Ran taking trial for the Arc when third in the Vermille but outdid herself to come third in big race when nearly brought down by Midas Touch, back to one but last before running on again during the final furlong and a half; Could go onto big things this year.

VERDICT: A classy renewal of the Prix Ganay. Planteur turned many heads with a commanding win last month although he’s going to have to go some to beat Arc third Sarafina and Irish Champion Stakes winner CAPE BLANCO, who did so well last season and retains all ability based on his third in a farcically slowly run Dubai World Cup latest. He has valid excuses for unplaced efforts on two other trips here.