Centenario makes his turf debut today, but I think he is likely to improve for the switch and he makes plenty of appeal in the 7f maiden at Compiegne.
He was an eye-catcher on his handicap debut over 6.5f at Chantilly in February, when not getting a clear run in the straight, and then made up a lot of ground in the straight at that course last time to finish a clear second to the prominently-ridden Momento Giusto. That one has gone in again since, and Centenario had the rest well beaten, so it looks a decent piece of form.
A mark of 33 wouldn’t normally be enough to win one of these, but he looks a progressive type, the Wattel yard is in good form and it is great to see Theo Bachelot back after over a week on the sidelines. Centenario’s dam was a useful performer at around this trip, placing at Listed level, and hopefully he can continue to progress and shed his maiden tag today.
2.25pm Compiegne – 1pt win Centenario @ 7-1 (most firms)
Later on the card, it is worth taking a chance on Sonderbar at a big price.
He remains a maiden after eight starts, but showed ability in the UK as a 2yo for Karl Burke, and connections re-qualified him for handicaps in the second half of last year, resulting in what looked a fair opening mark of 30.
His fourth at Lyon on his seasonal return in March is fair form, while he ran a good bit better than the ninth place finish at Chantilly last time might suggest, as he completely ran out of racing room in the home straight and finished on the bridle.
Bachelot is in the saddle on this occasion and hopefully he can give trainer Marian Weissmeier a third win in the last fortnight.
4.45pm Compiegne – 1pt win, 0.5pt place Sonderbar @ 16-1 4 places (Skybet, Coral, Ladbrokes, Betfred)
