French 2,000 Guineas 2014

2.45 Longchamp

Poule Essai Poulains (Group 1 - French 2000 Guineas) (Class 1)  (3YO only)

Winner €346,500 - 12 run

Advice: 1 pt each/way Galiway (7/1 Paddy Power)

Prestige Vendome: Half brother to last year’s winner Style Vendome and close in a tight finish behind Ectot (not present today but key form horse) in Criterium International, although back on better ground that margin was much more exaggerated in the Fontainebleau; Surprise if he can reverse that form  with Karakontie.

Itoobeboss: Well beaten by Karakontie on debut and then beaten a long way behind in the Prix Isonomy; Still a maiden now and hard to fancy.

Kiram: Justified the supplementary fee paid for him when landing the Prix Eclipse at Chantilly and an even better when cursing to win in the Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte; Those prizes over 6 furlongs but strong at the finish in four way photo to Djebel that Charm Sprit won (second); That looks a good run after that one’s fifth in 2,000 Guineas and mile no problem, but draw of 14 a real dent in his chances.

Muwaary: Looked a promising horse with plenty more to give when winning maiden and handicap at Newbury in July and April, especially when justifying favouritism and striding out well on the latter occasion; Could be anything although giant leap to make up here and ground has gone against him; Should relish 1m.

Zakhar Star: Beaten favourite in 14 runner maiden in Czech Republic and made amends next time out, but that level a world behind what he’ll have to achieve to win this; Soft ground an unknown for him as well.

Salai: Didn’t have the speed to cope with Nooznoh Canarias at Bordeaux last year but happier upped in trip and a clear cut winner at Craon before third in Listed event over 9 furlongs here; Landed Prix Omnium latest but much more needed here.

Pornichet: Fifth on only pattern start and has an awful lot to be finding to get competitive here; Look elsewhere.

Giovanni Boldini: Created impression when winning small race at Dundalk on debut and then third in National stakes (form not quite what it looked at the time) although his effort at the Breeders’ Cup was a good one; Performed much better than finishing position on return at Meydan suggests and can still be of interest in top races over a mile, although ground has gone against him and so has draw.

Karakontie: Had Itoobeboss back in third when beating subsequent Group 1 winner Ectot on debut, after which he might have taken too keen a hold when second to Derby hope Bunker; Showed good attitude when landing 7f group 3 here and even better attitude when mowing down Nooznoh Canarias to land the Prix Jean Luc Largadere on Arc Day last year, with runner up and Djebel winner Cham Spirit; Touched off by Ectot on his return but ran a fine race when well ahead of Galiway in the Fontainebleau and should go close today; Also has prime draw.

End of Line: Nothing special about the form but made a fine start when winning a 7f soft ground Doncaster maiden at the back end of last year and set too much to do in Esher Cup at Sandown latest; Ground come right for him again but draw possibly hasn’t and giant steps needs to make this work.

Lat Hawill: Form of the race (second won two Nurseries on AW since) doesn’t amount to much but looked a group horse when running riot in Newcastle maiden (fast ground, 7f) last year; Well beaten when third in Greenham Stakes but result of 2,000 Guineas has shown that form to be very high class indeed and only his third start today; Can improve again.

Galiway: Surprising that he floundered in the ground when favourite for the Horris Hill Stakes, given how well he won at Saint Cloud on debut, but seemed better when third to Karakontie and Ectot, albeit getting outpaced at a crucial time; Slower surface possibly to suit today and got a plum draw, and may be placed closer to the action today (with stable’s runners in better form) so of interest to come on one again today.

VERDICT: At the time of writing things were wet at Longchamp and the ground may turn more testing than anticipated, a big negative for Giovanni Boldini, Muwaary, and possibly Lat Hawill from the promising raiding team. No runner has won from a double figure draw in the last 17 years apart from Lope De Vega, a major negative against the otherwise very promising Kiram, and all looks set for Karakontie and GALIWAY, who may not have been seen to best effect when third in the Fontainebleau and may enjoy today’s slower surface enough to be seriously involved.