Prix Du Cadaran 2013

5.10 Longchamp

Qatar Prix Du Cadran (Group 1) (Class 1)  (4YO plus)

Winner €171,631

Advice: 2 pts each/way Altano (9/1 general)

  

Tac De Boistron: Smart stayer for Alain Lyon before short spell with Michael Kent in Australia, but looks a smart purchase for Marco Botti on evidence of Chester listed romp (won by eight lengths on bridle); Obviously a new career best there and to be respected for all that this a completely different here.

Achtung: Spanish form over this trip, winning minor event over long distance before being disqualified when landing 12f listed event; Hard to weigh up that form but latest showing a poor one and not sure he’s good enough to be involved.

Seismos: Looked as if he could go at least a half a mile further when easily landing Munich Group 1 in August, and bettered that form when chasing down Novelist in his prep race for the Arc; This a new trip but if getting the trip, won’t be far away at all.

Altano: Looked as if he would enjoy marathon trips when winning Group 3 Oleander-Rennen over 2m at Hoppegarten for second year running; Fastest final furlong when he belied his odds in the Gold Cup to run a screamer when fifth, given far too much to do off a slow pace, and much the same story in Goodwood Cup; Tuneup in Germany latest was a good sign that this been a target and can go very well.

Chabal’ Izor: Three-time winner from 19 flat starts, two of them in the French provinces at Pompadour, but huge step up in trip needs to transform him.

Times Up: Been a leading stayer for last three seasons but on and off through those times, although when he’s on his game, he’s very hard to beat as he showed when winning Yorkshire and Doncaster Cup last year; Near last in Gold Cup but improved at York and had more in hand than margin would have suggested latest; Can go well.

Coralhasi: Lightly raced these last three years (used to be a very smart staying hurdler) but this looks too tough.

Les Beaufs: Real mudlark, all three wins having come on ground that was described as ‘very soft’ or heavier, including Prix-Royal Oak here in October 2012; Penalty for that has been hampering him since but step back upto this trip will give bold show.

High Jinx: Runner up in this last year to Molly Malone, ending a very progressive year for him, and only the two runs since but on both occasions he posted good level of form and should be upto going close here.

Gloomy Sunday: Unconsidered 20/1 shot when romping away with Henry II Stakes and giving most of Britain and Ireland’s top stayers a heavy beating; Fourth at Deauville latest a perfect tuneup for this and has to be considered seriously here with step up in trip not a worry.

VERDICT: Plenty in with a chance here, and of the leading market players, ALTANO may be the best value after big efforts in the Ascot and Goodwood Cups which should have reaped more rewards, and he can go close here if ridden properly by Eddie Pedroza judged on those efforts.