A decent card at Chantilly this afternoon and at a price, I’m backing Westminster Night to make a winning reappearance in the Prix Du Lieutenant (1.25pm).
He recorded a good time when winning over this course and distance in December on his second start and though he was unfancied that day, there was no fluke about the win. He travelled strongly and showed a really good turn of foot to settle matters some way out, and the form has a strong look to it. The Rouget-trained runner-up had filled the same position on his previous start, while the third (Mr Coalville) and fourth (Kingentleman) both won their next two starts, the latter landing a class 1 here on his latest outing.
Though unfashionably-bred, being by Morandi and out of a Ballingarry mare, the dam did place at Listed level at three, and she is the half-sister to the dam of Listed winner Chiverny, so there is enough on the page.
Vaclav Luka has a nice team of three year olds this year. Memento Mori dead-heated for second behind the exciting Lassault here last time, while fellow French Guineas entry Gurzuf found only the Fabre-trained debutant Moneyman too good when second in a newcomers race here a fortnight ago.
Al Hakeem was a tidy winner here when last seen in November and both he and the well-regarded Star Rock are big players. However, at the prices it is worth chancing Westminster Night to spring another surprise.
1.25pm Chantilly – 1pt win, 0.5pt place Westminster Night @ 11-1 (various, 12-1 in places)
