Favourite Bella Nebula is a warm order for the 1m3f maiden at Fontainebleau this afternoon (2.35pm), but while the daughter of Sea The Stars looks a promising filly, I am backing the Christophe Soumillon-ridden Caraghann against her.
The Francis Graffard-trained son of Almanzor was sent off favourite on debut at ParisLongchamp in October, when in the care of the now-retired Alain de Royer Dupre. He showed up well enough before looking to get tired in the final couple of furlongs, finishing eleventh.
However, the form couldn’t have worked out much better, with the fourth, sixth and eighth winning next time, while the seventh home, Machete, won the Listed Prix Maurice Caillault at Chantilly earlier this month.
Caraghann was gelded at the beginning of January and though that can be viewed as a negative, his half-brother Canessar was also gelded at three and went on to be a solid Group performer. Other siblings include Listed winner Canndera and Group 2 winner Candarliya.
As one would expect, Graffard has only run a handful of his 88-strong team for the Aga Khan so far this year, but he continues in excellent form and in a race lacking strength in depth, Caraghann is worth supporting.
2.35pm Fontainebleau – 1pt each-way Caraghann @ 11/2 (various, though 6-1 available with Betfair/Paddy Power)
