I’m not convinced about the strength of the debut form of favourite A La Folie in the opener at Chateaubriant (10.45am) and at the prices this morning, Shaiyma is the bet.

Alain de Royer Dupre’s three year old was never sighted on debut at Compiegne, but showed there is plenty of ability there when beaten a nose at Le Touquet last time by the 37-rated Nizami (admittedly a little flattered by his mark), with daylight back to the third.  She was an unlucky loser that day, her apprentice looking to take things a little too easy once hitting the front close home.

She was quite keen in the early stages, but saw her race out well and hopefully will have come on again for that run and will settle better as she gains experience.  Golden Horn’s progeny are staying very well and she has an eye-catching pedigree, being a half-sister to two smart winning fillies for this yard, including Group 3 winner Shamkala.

Fetarde is a danger on form but has had plenty of chances, while favourite A La Folie, for all that she holds obvious claims, was second in what I thought was a very weak maiden at Clairefontaine earlier this month.

Alexandre Roussel has won on his last two rides for the yard and hopefully Shaiyma can bring up the hat-trick.

10.45am Chateaubriant – 2pts win Shaiyma @ 9/2 (all firms)

 

AQPS races can be tricky puzzles to solve, but I do like the look of Goldy Maker (11.15am).  She won twice last summer before running with plenty of credit in a higher grade than this, finishing a close fifth in the Group 1 for AQPS at ParisLongchamp in September.

She lost her form soon after and showed little on her first three starts this term, but she showed her ability remains when third last time out, the first-time headgear seeing her go off too quick, but she kept on for third behind two decent yardsticks.

The couple of months off since are a positive, given she has gone very well on a couple of occasions when fresh, and on her form of last year she would have a big chance in this, so at 12-1 she is worth chancing.

11.15am Chateaubriant – 1pt each-way Goldy Maker @ 12-1 (all firms)