He didn’t show much in two starts in two starts in the UK, but Fortuna Dufflecoat made a promising debut in France last month when runner-up at Deauville, and can go one better at Saint-Cloud this afternoon (1.15pm).

 

His runs in the UK came over 7/7.5f, but he was stepped up to 9.5f for his French debut and just missed out,  beaten a short-head in claiming company against a similar level of opposition to that which he faces today.

 

He battled on well and only lost on the nod, and it’s reasonable to expect him to come on for that first run for Mario Baratti.

 

Baratti is enjoying another good season, his third with a licence, and the former assistant to Marco Botti deserves to be given some better chances.  He places his horses well, and his record at claiming level in the past four months reads 4142514212.

 

The extra furlong shouldn’t inconvenience and I’m not worried about the switch to turf, particularly given his sire’s early runners have shown a preference for it.

 

1.15pm Saint-Cloud – Fortuna Dufflecoat each-way @ 5-1 (most firms, though 11/2 with William Hill)

 

 

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