Prix Jacques Le Marois 2013

2.45 Deauville

Prix Du Haras De Fresnay Jacques Le Marois (Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner €343,260

Advice: 2 pts win Intello (5/2 Hills)

Aljamaaheer: Talented but can be keen running; Built on promising, albeit slightly disappointing return when beaten a head in listed company, but much better when third in Lockinge Stakes and then second in Queen Anne, and took Summer Mile in fine style to cap of specular improvement; Deserved that win and chance to take his place in this field but behind Declaration of War in Queen Anne and that gives him a lot of ground to be making up.

Burwaaz: Ran a screamer in the Stewards Cup against the far rail but here to set a good pace for Aljamaheer.

Indian Sly: No chance on any form.

Nova Neyev: No realistic chance on any form.

Declaration of War: Highly touted before he arrived at Ballydoyle and promise in when landing hat trick of small races after promising Irish debut; Letdown in the Lockinge when not in shape but much better the last thrice, winning Queen Anne with sharp turn of foot and then taking second in the Eclipse, and honourable third in Sussex Stakes although never got close to either Toronado or reopposing Dawn Approach there and similar story envisaged today.

Prince D’Alienor: Here to ensure a strong pace for Intello.

Moonlight Cloud: One of Europe’s top mares, having won 4 Group 1’s and played a hand in both the top sprinting and milling ranks, taking her third consecutive win in the Maurice De Gheest here last week in fine style, thrashing two time Group 1 winner Lethal Force in style, and also being a winner of the Moulin last year; Unlucky to be only fourth in this last year and will be present at the finish here.

Elusive Kate: Another top mare, having added two more Group 1’s to her tally this season in style, fighting hard to get past Sky Lantern and then roasting a top class field here (where she’s now got a record of 11131) in fine style to retain her Rotschild crown recently; Ahead of Moonlight Cloud in this last year but that one suffered trouble in running and held by Declaration of War on this season’s earlier form.

Olympic Glory: Hard at work early, wide, never able to land a blow in Poulians when Intello was a deeply unlucky second but went into that a 3/1 favourite after winning all but one of his previous starts, well on top in Prix Jean Luc on Arc Day and winning Greenham in workmanlike fashion; Wide draw and being caught on outside may have done for him there and no telling what he could still do, but something to prove and disconcerting that this his first run since despite good record off break; Not the worst flyer.

Leitir Mor: Here as a pacemaker for Dawn Approach.

Dawn Approach: The outstanding 2yo who cemented his position as leading 3yo so far this year when making amends for Derby debacle with hard fought win from Toronado at Ascot, the pair both being bumped before fighting out a dramatic finish, with Dawn Approach actually bring passed and then battling back to take the victory in shadow of the post; Finally succumbed towards his rival at Goodwood when going down by half a length but that form still exceptionally strong (Declaration of War well held third) and can be expected to be a tough nut to crack once again if he’s still able to run to his best after 5 Group 1 events in just 50 days.

Peace at Last: Last to first for what eventually proved to be an easy win of the German Guineas helped by the soft surface and the very strong pace upfront; Will need more than that to be competitive here and well beaten since in Prix Jean Prat.

Intello: Looked as if he could be a little bit special when romping away with Fielden Stakes at Newmarket and then defying worst run possible and stall 17 in Poulians, a race he could and should have won with plenty to spare despite that, and made amends when positively ridden and never in danger on his way to easy Jockey Club win, the form of which has been boosted many times over since; Looked as if 10f his optimum that day but had no trouble with a mile in tuneup for this when beating older horses in nice style at Maisons-Laffite and as good a chance as any for all this is his toughest test.

VERDICT: The race of the season anywhere in the world without a doubt and the day we probably see Europe’s Champion miler – godwilling, with a clean race as both the sexes and age groups clash.  With Burwaaz, Leitir Mor, and Prince D’Alienor all acting as pacemakers we can expect a fiercely run race and that may play into the hands of INTELLO, who put up arguably Europe’s best 3yo performance in the Prix Du Jockey Club and should have won the Poulains easily with a better draw – he was forced widest of all after meeting trouble twice in stall 17. On the basis of that, and his recent tuneup over a mile, this trip should be no issue and he can beat Dawn Approach and Last year’s unlucky fourth Moonlight Cloud, who is seen as the biggest threat following yet another stunning Maurice De Gheest win only last week. She in turn might have the beating of Elusive Kate, while Aljamaheer has a bit to do and Olympic Glory is respected but does have questions to answer over his limp Poulains effort.