The drying ground is likely to work against a fair few of these and at double-figure odds this morning, I’m keen on the chances of Manjeer.
Trained by John Oxx at two and three, he won over a mile on his first start in France last July, making all and quickening smartly from the front. Listed-placed on his next outing, his best run of the campaign came when third in a 7f Group 3 at ParisLongchamp on good ground just under a year ago, finishing third to Group 1 performers Earthlight and Tropbeau. He was held up that day and finished fastest of all to claim third and that form is near enough as good as anything on offer here.
His fifth in the Group 3 Prix du Palais-Royal in May is another solid piece of form and he has had excuses since, with two runs over an inadequate 6.5f and the other one coming on ground that was too soft for his liking.
I really liked his prep run for this on the All-Weather here a fortnight ago, finishing third over 6.5f having come from last to challenge the front two, both of which had been ridden prominently throughout.
The return to a mile on what will be quick ground by course standards is a plus. He is tactically-versatile and though his trainer Carina Fey has had a year to forget, her yard are just beginning to hit form, with sixth of their last nine runners hitting the frame.
3.25pm Deauville – 1.5pt win, 1pt place Manjeer @ 14-1 (William Hill, Bet Victor, 16-1 available with Bet365)
