The Prix Gacko is the opening contest for three year olds at Compiegne (3.45pm) and the Francois Nicolle-trained Captain Du Berlais is taken to get off the mark at the second time of asking.

He ran well on debut at La Teste just over a month ago.  The winner is entered in Graded company at Auteuil this week and the second ran really well there on Saturday, so I think the form will work out fine.

He was kept in the Prix de Pouilly at Auteuil until the final declaration stage, a race Nicolle won with our Race Sharp selection Eden Bleu, and it’s interesting he turns up here, as the yard has run some decent ones in this in recent seasons.  They’ve won the last two renewals, with subsequent Grade 2 performer Iniesta Du Gouet (2021) and with the one-two in 2020, subsequent Graded winners Magneto and Le Listrac.

Out of a half-sister to the classy pair Caid Du Berlais and Clovis Du Berlais, this son of Kapgarde should be able to take a good step forward on his debut effort (as many of the Nicolle string have done this spring) and the 6-1 looks a shade too big.

3.45pm Compiegne – 1pt win Captain Du Berlais @11/2 (all firms, 6-1 with William Hill)