3.25 Chantilly
Grand Prix de Chantilly Stakes (Group 2) (4YO plus)
Winner €89,479
Pick: Bekhabad (win)
Bhekabad: Steadily progressive last year when winning Grand
Prix De Paris and Prix Niel; Confirmed himself the best French 3yo of last
season when unlucky fourth in Arc, as he was a close 8th when tightened up and
had nowhere to go 2f out, before being switched inside and running on when
short of room 1 1/2f out; Beaten in Breeders Cup Turf on final start last year,
but that after long season and on ground too firm for him (had started in
April); Has potential for great season this year and one to beat.
Celtic Celeb: Made a good start to his classic season,
before then coming well beaten in Prix Du Jockey Club (behind Ivory Land &
Bekhabad) and in provinces listed race afterwards; Recovered best form when
winning Group 2 / Second in a Group 1 at backend of last year but those efforts
on much softer ground over longer trips.
Poet: Thrived for Aidan O'Brien in 2009, winning 3 times
including Group 3 Kilternan Stakes and now starting to build on that form for
current yard, winning Rose Of Lancaster Stakes before running good second to
Clowance; Close to a career best when beating all but Workforce on his seasonal
debut in the Bridgader Gerard Stakes and massive chance based on that.
Allied Powers: Winner of this race last year (also took Prix
H’edouville) before creditable, although not particularly notable, Group 1 runs
in Respectable run latest when well
behind St Nicholas Abbey (just ahead of Harris Tweed, winner gone onto Group 1
win) and can take hand here.
Ivory Land: Took his time to find form last year but did get
better of Celtic Celeb in Listed race before close second in Group two (1m7f)
and two from two this season, quite comfortable when always in command latest;
Seems to be coming forward with every run and while one or two may be too good,
folly to dismiss his chances.
Ley Hunter: Progressive individual who had never been out of
the first two in six outings before his fifth in the Ganay last time out, and
this (while still competitive) is a drop in class; Should make a bold bid.
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 behind Ley Hunter in Ganay and hung late on, so
work to do to reverse placings.
Weiner Walzer: Showed top form in Germany over number of
seasons but hasn’t gone anywhere near to that form in two runs for Andre Fabre
and can’t be backed until he shows his best form again.
VERDICT: A solid renewal. BEKHABAD has to give 6lbs all
round to some classy opposition, not least the unexposed Ley Hunter and the admirably
consistent Poet, but he’s got the potential to go onto great things this year
and is worth taking a chance on.
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