Some promising three year olds in opposition in the opener at Deauville, but none more than favourite Dolayli, who can take this en route to better things.
The Francis Graffard-trained son of Siyouni made a winning debut in a newcomers’ contest at Saint-Cloud at the beginning of June, but took a nice step forward on that form when scoring in a class 2 at ParisLongchamp a month ago.
He was comfortably best that day, beating Moneyman (who re-opposes today) by two lengths, with that rival having finished second in a handicap off 39.5 on his previous start, so it was a decent performance on his second career start.
He has needed time, but seems to be thriving now and his pedigree suggests there could be a good deal more to come. A third foal, he is a half-brother to Group 3 winner Dilawar (also 4th in the Group 1 Prix D’Ispahan for Graffard this year), while his half-sister also placed at Listed level earlier this year. They are out of the top-class, Group 1-winning mare Dolniya.
Danssa Flora looked a useful prospect on her debut, but her yard is a little quiet at present and this is a big ask on her second outing.
12.58pm Deauville – Dolayli win @ 6/4 (most firms)
The Grand Handicap de Deauville has attracted a field worthy of the name and it’s highly competitive, but I’m backing National Service to make his second start for Jerome Reynier a winning one.
A Group 3 winner back in 2020 for Gavin Hernon, he won at Listed level for Frederic Rossi last summer and was then third over this course and distance in the Group 3 Prix Quincey here just under a year ago on her first start back with Hernon.
Off from October, he returned in July in the care of Reynier for the first time, finishing a good third in a class 1 at Chantilly on his first start over 1m2f. He travelled sweetly in front and kept on well enough, but the combination of trip and lack of match practice counted against him.
The drop back to a mile should suit, the ground is in his favour and the excellent Reynier will surely have left a bit to work with. National Service has reportedly come on for the run and this mark of 44.5 (equivalent to a UK mark of 98) underestimates his ability.
2.15pm Deauville – National Service each-way @ 17/2 (10-1 in places)
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