Competitive racing on what is only an average card in terms of quality at Compiegne today, and we head to the 3yo claimer (1.25pm) for our bet.

Few of these come into the race with much in the way of worthwhile recent form, so at the prices it’s worth chancing 16-1 shot Baileys Belle Star.

She won twice at this level in 2021 and was also runner-up at Saint-Cloud in October to Dalakhova  – they are closely matched at the weights.  Her recent ninth at Deauville was in a better claimer than this and she was in off an unrealistic tag of €17K.  She raced wide throughout and it’s easy to put a line through the run.

That was almost certainly a prep to get her season underway, as the headgear was left off (now returns).  Her trainer had a really good time of it last season (9-43) and it’s interesting to see Frida Valle Skar back in the saddle – the last time she was on Baileys Belle Star was when she won at Fontainebleau in September.

1.25pm Compiegne – 1pt win Baileys Belle Star @ 16-1 (Fitzdares, Skybet, Coral, Ladbrokes, Betfred, Boylesports)