2.40 Longchamp
Prix Ganay - Prix Air Mauritius Group 1 Stakes (Class
1) (4YO plus)
Winner €171,420
Advice: 3 pts win Cirrus Des Aigles (4/5 Coral)
Cirrus Des Aigles: Finally got group 1 win on the board
after numerous attempts when coming with late charge to land Champion Stakes at
Ascot and once again tasting success at the highest level when holding off
Breeders Cup winner St Nicholas Abbey at Meydan, sealing the race at the top of
the straight; Class act of the race and ground/trip no worry, so has to be the
one to beat. 
Wigmore Hall: Gained a deserved Group 1 win after many
unlucky trips (most of all when blocked for a run behind Cape Blanco in
Arlington Million) in Canadian International; No wins since despite strong efforts
in many races, never able to get a blow into the Dubai Duty Free last time;
Never been tried on ground this soft. 
Saga Dream: Listed winner last September but reliably held by
Cirrus Des Aigles and Giofora on form and hard to see him landing a blow. 
Reliable Man: Rapidy progressive as a 3yo, with 5 wins from
6 starts including the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly in most taking style,
having made up plenty of ground in straight; Beaten in Grand Prix De Paris where
questionable ride left him with too much ground to make up and reversed that
form in Niel when 
Giofora: Steadily progressive last season, quickening away
to win Listed event here last October but that nothing compared to exceptional
display when trashing Group 2 winner and stablemate Vadamar, bolting up with
ease in Prix D’Harcourt; Looked Group 1 class on that display and needs 
Pagera: Six length winner at Saint Cloud last month but unplaced
on last try in Group 1 company and looks sure to be outclassed here.
VERDICT: A small but select field with half the field here
being Group 1 winners and the other an exceptionally promising filly. The
ground could also play a big part here, which lends us to CIRRUS DES AIGLES,
who – along with arguably being the best horse in the race – won twice in
extremely testing conditions last year and looked as good as ever when holding
off St Nicholas Abbey in the Dubai Sheema Classic. Giofora is such an exciting
prospect based on her win in the D’Harcourt last time but one has to wonder how
she’d cope with more testing conditions today, while this is Reliable Man’s
first run back from a 210 day break. Both have the class to win this however
and the latter should enjoy the testing conditions, while Wigmore Hall hasn't raced on a surface so demanding.
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