This afternoon the focus is on Deauville where the action should be a lot more informative than the Shergar Cup at Ascot! The 2.50pm maiden is the Prix des Marettes for fillies, which is usually of at least Listed standard and judging by the pedigrees on show today, it should be no different. Raclette won it last year on her way to becoming the favourite for the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc weekend.

Race 5 at 3.25pm looks a slightly weaker maiden. Six of the eight runners have racecourse experience and I just can’t understand this market at all…

Tigrais has been installed as the 100/30 co-favourite based on an unlucky debut at Chantilly. Have a look for yourself – she just runs into the back of another juvenile – there is nothing from her run to tell you that she is necessarily a winner-in-waiting, particularly in this company.

Adeva can justify her position at the head of the market having run 2nd to Pink Pong on debut at Longchamp, who since won a nursery and is rated 42.5. Adeva finished as if this 100m longer trip will suit but she may give herself plenty to do if she breaks sluggishly again, having been handed stall eight today.

The bet is clearly Valdikhova for the powerful Jean-Claude Rouget team. Stabled locally, she will be fresher than most here having made a great debut in June, finishing second to subsequent Group Three fourth Gain It. Valdikhova was described by her trainer as a winner-in-waiting after that run and I can’t disagree! It’s strange being able to back a Rouget juvenile with her profile at 5-1 but I’m certainly not going to dwell on it too long this morning. With the dead eight runners, we can back her with the each-way safety net.

She should be more like 5/2!

3.25pm Deauville – 1.5pt each-way Valdikhova @ 5-1 (all firms)

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