Qatar Prix De L'Abbaye De Longchamp 2012

12.55 Longchamp

Qatar Prix De L'Abbaye De Longchamp (Group 1) (Class 1)  (2YO plus)

Winner €200,234

Advice: 1 pt win Mayson (9/2 general), Wizz Kid (8/1 general)

Moinesur Joe: Took Listed contest at Deauville (very soft, 5f) to follow up back to form Listed third at York and while unplaced efforts in the three other Group 1 sprints he’s contests this season suggested that he’s not upto this class, 5rf trial win speaks differently and drawn well enough to make real go of it; Chance.

Taajub: Fine third to Swiss Sprit in Newbury Group 3 latest marked improvement (worked his way back to the 2yo form he had once shown) but untested on anything worse than good; Opposable.

Mayson: Improved beyond recognition this season, bolting up in 5 and 6f Listed contests at the beginning of the campaign in Newmarket and then suffering pair of disappointments when stepped up in class in midsummer but excuses for both and brought back to form when handling the ground better than anyone to romp home in July Cup over 6f last time; That form sets high standard in this field, ground will provide the test at the trip that he wants, and plum draw in stall 1, so has to be strongly considered.

Inxile: Versatile enough groundwise and has always been there or thereabouts in all manner of sprints over 5f, but beaten fair and square over C&D BY Moinesure  Joe when he had the lead and hard to see him holding off the challengers today.

Ballesteros: Mudlover who revelled in wet summer to land valuable pair of 5f handicaps at Sandown and Chester and gets his ground once again bust stall 13 potentially problematic and much more needed today.

Bordlescott: Back to winning form when beneficiary of great ride to turn back the clock to days of old when landing Beverley Bullet; Winning form on soft ground plenty of times but hard not to think he’s behind his best.

Swiss Spirit: Showed sprinting potential since 2yo days and took advantage of drop to 5 furlongs  latest when holding off Kingsgate Native, although that one unlucky in running and will have to get all the gaps if he’s to be winning like that there; Unraced on anything slower than good and while draw has come right for him, others make more appeal.

Humidor: Beaten on all efforts since landing Listed Doncaster race a year ago but has posted decent efforts the last twice in Group 2 and 1 company; Needs luck anyway and stall 14 puts one off his chances.

Secret Asset: Second in this and unlucky not to win last year, and while he’s lad a less successful build up this year, he has shown the talent still remains, especially when third in Singapore Group 1 on soft ground; Tempting but widest of all in 18 which puts on off his chances.

Sole Power: One of the biggest form chances (arguably form horse of the field here) following his consistent efforts since Nunthrope win and could easily have won two or three more Group 1’s; Easy win at Listed level latest but wants it fast underfoot and drawn in the carpark; Maybe today not his day.

Spirit Quartz: Running well in defeat since his move to Britain, placing in succession of top races and doing so once again when fourth in Coral Charge and then once again when second to Ortensia the last twice; Won’t be too far away and does have soft ground form, so high on the list.

Hamish McGonagall: Suited by a flat 5 furlongs like no other, as his third in the Nunthorpe (set blistering fractions) shows; Ideally drawn to do same thing so no reason why he can’t run a big race once again, although ground not what he’d have wanted at all.

Tiddiliwinks: Made waves when winning pair of 6f Group races in 2012, but suspicion that his ideal trip not furthered by his fairly once paced fifth in Newbury Group 3 latest;

Definightly: Revels in testing ground, as shown by the fact that three of his seven wins are pattern races which took place on testing ground; Has shown enough speed to win over 5 before but needs more than that today, although tempting with things as soft as they are.

Govinda: Took Hamburg Group 3 for second time in June and nothing to suggest that he’s upto this level over 5f; No wins at this trip.

Tangerine Trees: Made all to win this last year but not placed since (albeit in some very tough races); That said, will be taken on at the front of the race and needs more today with ground as it is from stall 19.

Beyond Desire: Speedy front runner who is best suited by making the running at this trip, as she showed when landing Mares’s Group 3 at Longchamp; Not won since and worry that one of draw or ground will find her out.

Wizz Kid: Showed real potential as sprinter last year and won Chantilly 5f Group 3 for the second year running in June; Not quite at best since but had excuses at Ascot and clearly has the spped for this trip as shown by earlier wins; Ground come right for her and while she’ll need luck at this trip, we have to win

VERDICT: Heavy ground and the nature of Longchamp’s alternative sprint course quickly draw us to MAYSON, who relished the heavy ground so well to win the July Cup at Newmarket from the front and has the plum draw in stall 1 assuming that he breaks well, and WIZZ KID, who goes on deep ground, has a good slot in stall 6, and has shown signings of making a big challenge to land a Group 1 sprint over the past year. Both will need luck but if they can get it then they make obvious appeal. Never discount the outsiders, and Definightly should be highlighted as a horse who adores this ground and has a workdable draw, while Secret Asset’s Group 1 third in Singapore shows he does have the talent to take a hand if all goes well form his horror stall of 18.