Though the top two in the market both hold strong claims in the four year old fillies’ hurdle at Compiegne (1.07pm), I think Bougie Has could have a good deal of improvement to come this season and is a shade of value.
She looked all at sea on the sharp track/fast ground at Vitre on her debut in June, making a few mistakes, including a bad error just as the leaders were quickening in front. She finished really strongly to get second and though that form is a long way short of what is required here, she showed plenty of ability.
She is a well-bred individual, being a half-sister to Botox Has, who developed into a useful hurdler for Gary Moore (and incidentally, makes his debut over fences at Plumpton this afternoon), while the dam was Listed-placed on two occasions over hurdles.
Jerome Delaunay is an excellent trainer and is always to be respected at the Paris tracks – he is 3-10 here in the past two seasons and 7-42 at Auteuil since 2019. The team are in tremendous form and conditional jockey Christopher Riou has been seen to very good effect of late, winning on his last four completions when riding for the yard.
1.07pm Compiegne – 1pt win, 0.5pt place Bougie Has @ 12-1 (most firms, though 14-1 available with Betfair, Paddy Power)
The top three in the market in the 4-5yo conditions chase (1.42pm) ran against each other here in September, but though she finished behind her market rivals on that occasion, I fancy Hacienda to reverse the form.
It was her first run since May and her debut over fences. She travelled with plenty of enthusiasm, jumped proficiently and just looked to get tired in the final couple of furlongs. She won here second time out last season and looks sure to come on plenty for that reappearance effort.
Hispanic Moon is the obvious one, but the Cottin team just look a little in and out at present and in any case, I’m not convinced that there is a massive amount between the pair and Hacienda could well be the one with more improvement to come.
1.42pm Compiegne – 2pts win, 1pt place Hacienda @ 5-1 (all firms)
