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.
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