Criterium De Saint Cloud 2011

12.55 Saint - Cloud

Criterium De Saint-Cloud (Group 1) (2yo Colts & Fillies) (Turf) (2yo) Winner £123,147

Advice: 1 pt win, 1 pt each/way Brochettes (6/1 Coral)

Letsgoroundagain: Gained a more than deserved win when using stamina/experience to land Listed event at Pontefract, that having followed more than a few good efforts; This should prove too good for him but bold showing would not surprise.

Betpak Dala: Solid winner at Velka Chuchle and then was 2& 1/2 L off Tifongo in Group 3 last time having run prominently; That form shouldn’t be overturned.

Mandaean: Took the running up early in the straight and wasn’t for catching in the Prix De Belleville, a race which trainer has used to start talents as Hurricane Run and Rewilding; That form taken a knock of late but massive potential and should be going very close.

Tifongo: Looked to have a decent future when winning over 6 furlongs at Maisons Laffite; First decent effort since when fourth (flattered to get as close as he did to French Fifteen inbetween) in Prix Conde; Needs much more here.

Tai Chi: Four wins from 5 starts and ne more impressive then when winning emphatically at Cologne last month; Seems to be improving still and step up in trip should still help, so has to be high on list here.

Brocottes: Showed a smart turn of foot to beat decent prospect of Aga Khan’s at Longchamp last time out (giving weight) on only second start; More needed her but step up in trip might bring best out of her and of major interest here.

Madam Blanche: Winner of minor contest at Bordeaux last month over 1 mile on soft ground, that effort bettering a seventh placed finish when on debut.

 Mirandola: Broke her maiden on heavy ground last time at Masons Laffite, and no small coincidence that she was stepping up to 9 furlongs for the first time; Ground as it is could see her play a big part.

VERDICT: The last Group 1 of a riveting season. Many will look towards Andre Fabre’s Mandadean as the future star in this field and he looks to have a future ahead of him but BROCHETTES was impressive last time and may have more to give today. Tai Chi is the one they all have to beat on form and should go well with the ground to suit and those looking for a shcok are directed to heavy ground slugger Mirandola.