Qatar Prix Du Moulin De Longchamp 2011

Longchamp 2.40

Qatar Prix Du Moulin De Longchamp (Group 1) (3yo+ Colts, Fillies & Mares) (3yo+) Winner £221,664

Advice : 1 pt each/way Rio De La Plata (14/1 general), 1 pt each/way Royal Bench (15/2 VC Bet)

Rajasman: Progressive through last year and continued that improvement last winter, with fourth in big Asian Group 1; Unsuccessful spell in Dubai, but used that to his advantage when just outrunning Byword late on in Group 2 Prix Du Muget and career best when third behind Goldikova; Safely held in Sussex Stakes but better expected here.

Planetur: 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 and looked set to be contender for all of those races again until disappointing at Royal Ascot; Decent effort considering quality of opposition when fifth in Jacques Le Marois, but looked too slow for a mile then.

Rio De La Plata: Looked like a potentially immense horse when landing National and Prix Jean Luc Stakes as a 2 year old, before injury curtailed plans; First successful season since when landing 4 out of his eight races last year, the highlight of which was an Italian Group 1 double after his Prix Du Moulin second; Improved on return when third in Queen Anne and no surprise that Frankel and Canford Cliffs were too good for him at Goodwod, so better expected here.

Handsome Maestro: One would imagine that he is here to make the pace for Royal Bench.

Royal Bench: Always had the talent; Second behind Beauty Flash in Hong Kong, fourth in Duty Free afterwards; Sham of a race at Karnjii next time as he proved with excellent running on fourth in Jacques Le Marois latest and should make a bold bid to win.

Zoffany: High class 2yo, fulfilling potential with hat trick of wins highlighted by his cosy Phoenix Stakes success, unsuited by heavy ground when third behind Pathfork in National Stakes; Creditable return (had fallen sick) behind Bewitched in Ballycorus Stakes and new career best when fast closing on Frankel (albeit very much flattered); Backed that up however when just losing out in three way go for French mile Group 1 and while he disappointed last time, soft ground does not bring out best in him; Interesting.

 

Excelebration: Impressed as 2yo, coming clear of fair fields at Doncaster and Newmarket in good style; Even better as 3yo, pushing Frankel closest when second in Greenham and a wide winner of German 2,000 Guineas; Ran another big race when close to Frankel in St James’s Palace (well ahead of Dubawi Gold) and looked as if he was well upto taking a Group 1 when coming well clear in Hungerford; Should go well.

Tin Horse: Looked like horse with future when bolting up by a combined total of 7 lengths on his first 2 starts, barely extended to beat Realisatrice and Zack Yield; Well beaten in Robert Papin but shaped completely differently in the Morny/Prix Jean Luc; Turned promise into classic success when running away with the French 2,000 Guineas latest but that a poor renewal to say least and well held in French Derby/Jacques Le Marois.

Dubawi Gold: Had seemingly lost way when disappointing at Royal Ascot (too close to strong pace) and at Newbury (pushed out wide and ran too keen for his own good); Back to best when held up to take Celebration Mile at Goodwood but that a poor race; Chance but needs everything to drop right.

VERDICT: Excelebration is a worthy favourite but enthusiasm about his chances is tempered slightly by the fact that Zoffany – Unable to show his best on soft ground since – beat him fair and Square at Royal Ascot. The two that make most appeal for a big show here are RIO DE LA PLATA and ROYAL BENCH, with Dubawi Gold having a lot to prove in this company.