2.05 Longchamp
Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Group 1) (Class 1) (2YO only)
Winner €200,234
Advice: 1 pt win What A Name (7/2 Stan James)
Olympic Glory; Absolutely hacked up on debut at Goodwood and
then posted extremely promising second in Coventry (his only defeat in four
starts) before winning Superlative at Newmarket on heavy ground; All out at the
end of that race but proved he’d get through it when doing so and has to be
respected here after winning Vintage Stakes with penalty as well; Worthy
favourite. 
Avantage: Found his form since being upped to 7f, winning
his maiden and then coming third and second in Listed and Group 3 company
since; Interesting given that he was clear cut winner on soft ground but no
match for What A Name at all latest and hard to back after that.
Indian Jade: Already happier at 7f but plenty of other
questions about his chances, not least the ground; No match for Olympic Glory
in Coventry and beaten twice in sales races so hard to get too enthused about
his chances. 
Pedro The Great: Had no impact when fifth in Listed event on
debut but showed his real self when running out a ready winner of his maiden at
Leopardstown on soft ground, making easier work of things as he went on;
Disappointment in Railway Stakes but did when Phenoix Stakes in good style when
last seen; Hard to be confident he’ll bring his best to the table today but respected
given record of Ballydoyle juveniles here. 
Maxientus: Had looked to be one of the more promising 2 year
olds seen this year when romping his maiden and then dismissing opposition with
consummate ease in novice event (beat three previous winners); Third in
Superlative Stakes but had looked very good through the race (hit the front two
furlongs out) and may have foundered in heavy ground late on; Far too free in
the Vintage Stakes when he raced close to a strong pace but unable to settle
against at Doncaster and held on most lines of form.
Tha’ir: Really quite impressive on second start when smashing
stablemate and then winning Chesham at Royal Ascot; Surprising manner of last
two defeats given how strong he was at finish but raced very close to hard pace
in the Vintage Stakes while Solario Stakes winner clearly a class act in making;
Third in Champagne Stakes really not bad form but others make more appeal. 
Snowday: Much improved when winning Prix Du Bois at
Chantilly but been well beaten in Papin and Morny since; Looks exposed now. 
What A Name: Only once run on anything worse than good but
that on her debut when significantly more immature than she is now, as shown by
seven-length success at Deauville last month and backing up that performance
with an easy success over Avantage here in Prix La Rochette, beating males for
second time; Clearly very talented and comes here with big chance.
VERDICT: It might pay to take a chance on WHAT A NAME’S pure
talent being enough to handle not only her male counterparts (of which Olympic
Glory is a worthy favourite) but also this ground, which she has technically raced
on before when making her debut as an immature debutant. Far stronger now, she
has immense potential and is well worth supporting today. Pedro The Great comes
from a stable with a very good record in this, so deserves a good mention
having won on ground described as soft already.
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