Prix De La Foret 2011

2.30 Longchamp

Prix De La Foret (Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner €177,570

Advice: 3 pts win Goldikova (4/5 Hills)

Marchand D’Or: Five time Group One winner who dominated European sprinting between 2006 and 2008; As well as he’s ran since when third  in Prix Maurice De Gheest, followed by cost Group 3 win since; This a level above that though.

Worthadd: Champion horse in Italy who showed his talents on other stage when  running a cracker from the front to finish second in the Lockinge, and no more than an exercise when he won in Italy; Put in a shocker when ninth in Jacques Le Marois but muscular problem might have been the reason (caused him to miss a trip to Canada for the Woodbine Mile) along with chasing a strong pace and racing freely; Worth a good look at 9’s.

Dream Ahead: Brilliant juvenile over 6f, bolting in by 9 lengths on debut, & Coped with fast – track to Group 1 in exemplary fashion when smoothly winning Prix Morny in great style; Ran above even that when running away with Middle Park (soft ground seemed to suit & no surprise that his first win came in July Cup when dropped back to sprinting trip; Serious worry that he couldn’t back that up on ground which should have suited at Deauville, but once again excellent when winning Sprint Cup; Rates a major thereat, although tendency to hang could prove a big stumbling block.

Surfrider: Got the better of a useful horse in Havant Smoker, having finished well behind him on their two year old meeting; Unplaced in French Guineas and needs much more here.

Bewitched: Took giant steps forward last season when winning 4 times, including a Group 3 double at the Curragh (notably on soft ground) and Ascot (also won two listed races); Better than ever when covering Zoffany with ease on debut (form obviously boosted); Royal Ascot failure explained by lameness behind but another Group 1 failure when unplaced in Sprint Cup; Hard to think she’s good enough.

Dever Dream: Failed to show her progression on first two starts this season (found trouble in running) but much more like it when second to Chachamaidee; Decent efforts since but nothing to trouble this field.

Flash Dance: Pacemaker for Goldikova.

Goldikova: Has proven as good as ever this season, taking Group 1 tally to 14 despite two defeats to very progressive horses in Canford Cliffs and Immortal Verse, latest on ground that did not suit(she wants it fast nowadays); Winner of this last year on ground that wouldn’t have suited and gets good conditions this time around, so has to be one to beat.

VERDICT: It’s the end of GOLDIKOVA’S time in Europe, and whatever happens she’s given us some superb memories, but she looks worth sending off with a decent bet. Defeats to Canford Cliffs and Immortal Verse this year and perfectly acceptable and with the ground to suit, she can see off Dream Ahead and Worthadd.