I’ve run out of time to do a proper write up for the first selection. However, Etoile Du Berlais did us (and Race Sharp Twitter followers) a big favour when scoring at 25-1 at Compiegne in April. She looks sure to come on for her recent seasonal reappearance, will like today’s conditions and represents a yard enjoying a really good spell.
2.52pm Auteuil – Etoile Du Berlais win @ 15/2 (most firms)
The Grade 3 Prix Montgomery (5.12pm) is a hugely-competitive handicap chase, as one would hope given the €165,000 on offer.
At a big price, I am taking a chance on Hitech, who I’ve always liked and who could have a lot more to offer as a staying chaser in the season ahead.
His win on chasing debut at Compiegne last summer is worth watching back and after getting his eye in over fences here for the first time last November (finishing fourth in a competitive conditions race), he got the better of the winning machine Virgo Celestin in Pau.
He fell on his next start there in January, when going strongly in front in a Listed contest, and was off until reappearing over 4400m here just over three weeks ago. His trainer Daniela Mele stated beforehand that he would really need the run and so it proved, but he jumped and travelled so well through the contest and was looked after from the home turn.
Mele used that same race as a prep for her runner-up in this last year, Road Mix Tavel, who went on to win the Prix du President de la Republique in the spring. She also runs Guardamar here, who had a luckless run in this last year and finished ahead of our selection on reappearance. He is a big price too, but is more exposed than his stablemate.
5.12pm Auteuil – Hitech each-way @ 25-1 5 places (Skybet, Coral, Ladbrokes, Betfred, Unibet, 28-1 5 places Bet365)
