An interesting card at Compiegne today and we head to the 1m1f maiden (3.00pm) for our first bet, with Azureus worth backing to get off the mark at the second time of asking.

The Freddy Head-trained son of Invincible Spirit debuted in the Prix Juigne at Longchamp in mid-April, a prestigious newcomers’ contest in which this one’s smart Dubawi half-brother In Crowd made a winning debut for these connections last year.

Azureus didn’t get the run of things in the straight, but kept on nicely to the line and shaped really well.  A half-brother to six black-type performers, including three at Group 1 level, all of them for this trainer, he is from a brilliant family and looks sure to progress from what was a very promising debut.  The drop in trip shouldn’t be any issue, particularly given he is by a sharper sire than most of his siblings.

Despite a decent-sized field, there aren’t many here that can be fancied and though the Fabre representative Badge is respected, it is a race that lacks depth.

3.00pm Compiegne – 1pt win Azureus @ 7/2 (Coral, Ladbrokes, Betfred, Boylesports, 9/2 with Bet365, 3-1 elsewhere)