Qatar Prix Dollar 2012

1.00 Longchamp

Qatar Prix Dollar (Group 2) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner €114,420

Advice: 1 pt win Maxios (11/2 Bolyesports), 1 pt win Colombian (7/1 Skybet)

Chinchon: Deeply impressive when winning Singapore International Cup (form that has to give him serious chance) and does have decent record fresh, so the absence no real concern; 6lbs penalty hardly the most ideal thing but good enough to defy it so seriously considered.

Cirrus Des Aigles: Runner up in this last year (won it in 2010) on ground that some might say would have been faster than ideal for him when prepping for Champions Stakes and comes here with two more Group 1 wins under his belt, although beaten by Golden Lilac latest; Ground has come right for him to give best shot at defying 6lbs penalty and more than good enough even after 132 days off.

Hunter’s Light: Come good in magnificent style last twice after finishing only seventh in Hardwicke Stakes, running away with Turkish Group 2; This a fair bit harder especially with 4lbs penalty and softer ground than he’d like but can’t’ be dismissed.

Red Dubawi: Listed winner on testing ground back in July (and a convincing one at that) but failed to win since and well behind Maxios last time at Maisons Laffite; Others preferred.

Don Bosco: Reward for couple of consistent efforts when finally landing his own Group 3 from the from in August, but well held next time out and this a much harder contest.

 

Colombian: Had an excellent season, possibly career best when third in Arlington Million latest when give smart ride; All sorts of smart form, particularly over here, but comes into his own when ground is soft, as shown by his win in Gordon Richards Stakes and French Listed company;

Green Destiny: Not done so well since leaving William Haggas, beating fellow stablemate/import Mikhail Glinka in small conditions contest but finding last in Baden Baden Group 3; Others preferred.

Saga Dream: Well held in this last year and currently 0-9 in group company; Never actually looked as if he was going to take a hand behind Maxios latest and others readily preffered.

Maxios: Half-brother to Arc winner Bago who’s slowly but surely finding his feet this season, racking up pair of smooth wins before close group 2 second to Aiken; Disappointing after that at Deauville but career best latest when beating returning Reliable Man in very good style at Maisons Laffite; Should go well here. 

VERDICT: With the ground having come right for him, it’s so tempting to steam into Cirrus Des Aigles to seal a second win in this race even under a 6lbs penalty. However he does thrive on his race and off a 132 day break, might just be vulnerable to MAXIOS and COLOMBIAN, both of whom have shown the form to suggest they can at least challenge getting 6lbs from the Champion Stakes winner. Chinchon also deserves significant respect.