Grand Prix De Paris 2011

6.50 Longchamp

Juddmonte Grand Prix De Paris (Group 1) (3yo Colts & Fillies) (Turf) (3yo) Winner £295,552

Pick: Reliable Man (win)

Kreem: Fancied for last-year's Gran Criterium at Saint-Cloud but was well-held; Slow start this year but built on Longchamp conditions race win with short-head victory in the Prix Du Lys at Chantilly latest; If he can find more improvement on that then he’s a contender but 8 – time winning stable might have a better contender.

 Treasure Beach: Progressed with each start last year when respectable third in Royal Lodge (well behind winner but hampered badly in straight) and continued progression when winning Chester Vase first time out & career best when beating all but Pour Moi at Epsom; Followed that up when strong at the finish of Irish Derby and can make a bold bid here.

Meandre: Slow developer but getting act together based on last two wins, especially when making remarkable ground to win Prix L‘Avre and closely matched with with Kreem on a line third Ibicenco; This harder but no surprise were he to make a bold bid.

Seville: Shaped like a horse of major potential when chasing home Casamento in Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last October; Most unsuited by slowly run Dante Stakes at York & Flop at Epsom but never handled the track for a second and better when caught close home in Irish Derby; Not to be underestimated here but Treasure Beach may again come out on top of the two.

Marksmanship: Made a comfortable debut win in soft ground maiden at the Curragh (hands and heels) and that form has been well upheld since, with 5 horses having won since; Disappointment at Royal Ascot although too far back to make an impact (blocked in run several times) and while he should make into a group horse this too tough for him.

Reliable Man: Three wins from three starts, most recently the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly in most taking style, having made up plenty of ground in straight; Was seriously considered for King George until Monday, underlining how highly trainer rates him; Step up to 12 furlongs should pose no problem and arguably the one to beat.

Bubble Chic: Finished second on his last 6 starts, although that not for want of trying and clear cut best of the rest when second behind Reliable Man in Jockey Club last time out; Likely to find that rival too good again.

VERDICT: Treasure Beach and Seville represent a stern Irish challenge and Meandre may well be overpriced but it is hard to ignore the esteem in which RELIABLE MAN was held following his Prix Du Jockey Club win and he should take the beating having gone here instead of the King George.