Our first bet on the morning card at Le Lion D’Angers runs in the 1m2f maiden (11.00am), with Saint Geran a value alternative to warm favourite Hypotenus.
The son of The Grey Gatsby has looked a work in progress in two starts to date, finishing in midfield on debut at Deauville in December, but taking a nice step forwards to finish fifth at Chantilly last time.
The penny looked to be dropping late that day and he would’ve finished in front of the fourth, Zarak The Brave, in another couple of strides. That one franked the form when bolting up in a weak maiden earlier this week, while runner-up Wakaburn also scored next time. Winner Junko was in a different league that day, but at least he confirmed that positive impression when easily beating a decent field in a class 1 on Tuesday.
He is a third foal half-brother to Listed winners Waltham and King Shalaa and out of a half-sister to three black-type winners, so it is reasonable to expect further improvement.
Shayran is a danger on the best of his form, though he found disappointingly little last time and has had a few chances. Hypotenus in the obvious one and is rightly favourite, but Carlos Laffon-Parias is yet to hit anything approaching top stride, so it is the right time to be taking him on.
11.00am Le Lion D’Angers – 2pts win, 1pt place Saint Geran @ 5-1 (all firms)
