Prix Daniel Wildenstein 2011

3.15 Longchamp

Prix Daniel Wildenstein (Group 2) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner €74,373

Advice: 1pt win Rio De La Plata (3/1 general), 0/5 pt each/way Best Dating (10/1 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 in Moulin last time and should take the beating.

Set The Trend: Found better form this season, winning Goodwood Listed event before solid third in German Group 3; Slightly unlucky if not flattered when second, run down close home by Dubawi Gold latest, but that form gives him a lot to find.

Zinbaa: Likes to race prominently, and best effort yet when up on the line to deny long-time leader in Deauville Group 3 (very soft ground); Worth a try in this grade and interesting contender, although this a steep rise in grade.

Rio De La Plata: Has found some of his best form this season, Improved on return when third in Queen Anne and no surprise that Frankel and Canford Cliffs were too good for him at Goodwood; Only Excelebration too good for him last time when once again he was ahead of Rajasman (better drawn but also worse off today as well) and had a fair gap between him and Royal Bench; Should go very close.

Kings Canyon: Best effort in last 6 runs is handicap second at Deauville, so out of his depth here.

Best Dating: Went into many notebooks when winning Deauville handicap with ease and then impressive here when beating Evaporation in the Prix Du Pin, a line which says he should take the beating here; Interesting contender.

Royal Bench: Winner of this last year who’s easily good enough to take this again; Very good European return when fourth in Jacuqes Le Marois, but step back in Moulin; Needs more than that here but could bounce back.

Sandagiyr: Improved with each of his first three starts, getting up in nick of time to land conditions contest before taking Listed contest with ease; Unplaced in Prix Du Jockey club (forgiven) and ran awfully since with no explanations, so very few make appeal.

One Clever Cat: Good form shown on last 6 starts, having been behind Announce, Sarafina Cirrus Des Aigles, and Goldikova; Group 3 win last time out deserved but drop down to this trip proabaly not helpful.

Private Jet: Not gone on from promising opening defeat to Barocci in two runs since and this test looks far too stiff for him.

Evaporation: Raced too keenly when caught close home by Best Dating last time, having previously performed admirably against top class opposition at 7 furlongs; Not sure how he copes with this trip despite win at the distance and others preferred (his conqueror namely) today.

VERDICT: Despite a poor draw, RIO DE LA PLATA makes a lot of appeal. He’s been consistent all year and if getting a good position from his wide draw, he can beat Rajasman again, who's badly in at the weights, while Royal Bench’s poor effort last time needs explaining,  which leads me to think BEST DATING has a good place chance based on a progressive win last time.