The top two in the market in the class 3 over 1m1.5f (6.30pm) have both got recent form in the book, but I think there is improvement to come from Sagano this year and hopefully he can make a winning reappearance.

He won well in handicap company over this trip on turf last May, and was then a very creditable fourth on his next two starts in Quinte handicaps, not getting the clearest of runs on his latest outing at the end of July.

He has been off since, but his trainer Christophe Ferland tends to have his horses ready back from a break.  It is worth noting that his dam was a big improver with time, winning a Listed as a backend four year old.  Her half-sister was also a big improver as a late four year old, winning at Group 2 level, and the fact his powerful connections have kept him in training as a five year old suggests they feel there is more to come.

Stablemate Lepti Prinsadi has been in excellent form, but we’re getting 7kg (minus Hugo Lebouc’s claim) and if Sagano is fit and ready, that should be more than enough to see him home in front.

6.30pm Deauville – 1pt win Sagano @ 5-1 (various)

 

The exciting Nesr Shalghoda makes his reappearance in the final race on the card and is worth supporting.

He finished runner-up over this course and distance last October, running the Francois Rohaut-trained Zawaaya (tipped in this column) very close.  That regally-bred colt is one of only a handful of Shadwell-owned horses remaining in training this year and has since won impressively in Cagnes, so the form looks very strong.

It was no surprise to see him go one better on his next outing the following month, again over this course and distance.  He was value for more than the winning margin that day and the form has worked out really nicely, with the third, fourth and fifth all having shed their maiden tags since.

Romain Le Dren Doleuze had a breakthrough year in 2021 and has started 2022 in a similar vein, with 5 winners already on the board from 17 runners.  He has made no secret of the regard in which he holds Nesr Shalghoda and the French Guineas entry was the subject of very positive comments from his trainer in the press this week.  Hopefully he can make a winning reappearance before going on to better things.

7.30pm Deauville – 1pt win Nesr Shalghoda @ 9/4 (various, 5/2 in places)