Prix Maurice De Nieuil 2011

6.15 Longchamp

Prix Maurice De Nieuil (Group 2) (4yo+) (Turf) (4yo+) Winner £63,879

Pick: Ley Hunter (each/way)

Marinous: Ran above himself when sixth in the Arc last year but has not reached the same form since and passed over here.

Blek: Had one of best ever seasons in 2010, improving to win Prix Barberville and Prix Maurice De Neuill; Did not hold that form since though and more of a watching brief until he finds his form.

Tres Rock Danon: Previously very progressive stayer who wasn’t upto Group 2 and 1 company in Germany at the backend of last season; Unbeaten this season, getting there in nick of time on both occasions, but this far harder.

Watar: could not have been more impressive when landing the Group 2 Prix Chaudenay at Longchamp but that long time ago and while he has posted respectable efforts since others are preferred.

Allied Powers: Winner of 2 Group events last year (Grand Prix & Prix H’edouville) before creditable, although not particularly notable, Group 1 runs; Steady improvement in performance this season before poor showing last time and in a competitive heat others make more appeal.

Diamond Boy: Ran an encouraging comeback race from a leg injury behind likely local favourite Shamanova at Chantilly last month and should improve plenty for that; Seems to be stable second string though.

Ted Spread: Showed potential as a 3yo when winning Chester Vase and coming fourth in Voltigeur Stakes; Blew out on other occasions but right back to best when second in strong listed race last time; This tougher again.

Ley Hunter: Progressive individual who had never been out of the first two in six outings before his fifth in the Ganay and looked ready for a step up in trip when fourth in Group 2 (well contested) last time out; Stable has remarkable record in this (8 winners) and can go really well here.

Times Up: Resumed progression from last season (when ready winner of November Handicap) when winning big handicap and then when running out a ready winner of a Listed event latest; Looked an improved horse for the trip last time so should go well here.

Talgado: Hard to imagine him winning here; Easily held by Watar on a line through Ivory Land.

Mores Wells: Beaten just a head by Joshua Tree in the Canadian International at Woodbine last autumn, before finishing down the field in the Japan Cup & as good as ever when he defied a welter burden defied a welter burden to land the Grand Prix de Lyon last time out; Can make a bold bid.

Kasbah Bliss: Top class, one of best dual purpose horses of recent years; Smart turn of foot and arguably unlucky not to have won several more races; More than enough class to land this if things go his way although slight doubt over how much ability he still retains.

Shamanova: Not out of first two on first six starts, but form tailed off (flopped at Longchamp) last season; Looked as good  as ever when second behind Announce on first start this season and bounced back from flop when fairly impressive winner of Listed contest last time out; More needed.

VERDICT: The progressive Times Up has always looked to have a race like this in him but LEY HUNTER too is unexposed and with a step up in trip a possible aid to his high class form, he is taken to give Andre Fabre a remarkable ninth win in this race.