Though favourite Magneto will be tough to beat, I think a few of those directly below him in the market for the 4yo chase at Auteuil (12.05pm) have questions to answer and am taking a chance on Joel Boisnard’s Let Me Win.
The son of Saint Des Saints hasn’t yet added to his hurdling debut success at Cholet last September, but he did finish in the frame in two competitive Listed handicaps over hurdles here in March/April, which has been followed by two very creditable efforts in defeat over fences here.
A couple of little mistakes in the second half of the race last time probably took their toll late on, but he was still bang there going to the last and that form is plenty strong enough – the winner was beaten a nose in the Grade 3 last week and the next three are all rated 60+.
Only one of today’s rivals (Saura) has chasing experience around here, which can count for plenty, and at 7-1 he is a value alternative to the favourite.
12.05pm Auteuil – 1pt win Let Me Win @ 7-1 (all firms)
The Listed Prix Dawn Run (2.35pm) looks a really competitive contest, featuring the third (Zurekin), fourth (Porto Pollo) and fifth (Aragorn D’Alalia) from the Grade 2 Prix La Barka earlier this month. The admirable Zurekin makes most appeal of those for the Leech team, but he might struggle to give 5kg to Becquarainbow, who should be seen to better effect now returned to hurdles after two runs over fences.
He narrowly got the better of Zurekin in a Listed handicap here last October and is now 3.5kg better off, before then going on to record a big career-best when scoring in deep ground here in a Listed contest in December.
This looks a really good spot for him, in receipt of weight from his main rivals, and the seven-week break since his last run is a positive for one that goes well fresh, particularly given his trainer Francois Nicolle has stated that this has been his target for some time.
2.35pm Auteuil – 1pt win Becquarainbow @ 3-1 (all firms)
