We were unlucky not to collect on our Mathieu Pitart-trained runner yesterday, who unseated at the last when in front, but it was another example of how the yard’s representatives come on for an initial run and I’m backing another of his at Lyon today.

Broken Twin was slowly away and a little green on debut here a fortnight ago, but he finished his race off well enough up the straight.  He has plenty of ground to make up on the placed horses that day, Get The Power and Angelino, but neither look to be improving and, given Broken Twin now has the benefit of experience and a better draw than last time, it’s reasonable to expect him to close the gap significantly today.  Pitart holds the son of Triple Threat in high regard, and there is enough on pedigree to suggest there could be improvement forthcoming, as he is the second foal of a half-sister to two Listed winners.

Favourite Ganesh is the obvious one, having won here last time, with the runner-up franking the form when scoring at Deauville.  However, he is priced accordingly.

1.47pm Lyon – 1pt win, 0.5pt place Broken Twin @ 16-1 (all firms)

 

The second bet on the card runs in the concluding handicap, with Federspieler very much worth chancing on his first start for Conny Whitfield.

Federspieler’s sole win came back in 2019 for his former trainer Jess Parize, off a mark of 30.  He did finish runner-up last summer off 31.5, but his form has taken a downturn since.  That said, he did actually run creditably on his last two starts for his previous yard, not getting the run of things at Chantilly last time, and a two-month absence since will have given his new connections time to find their feet with him.

This looks to be his trip and he is on a good mark if rediscovering his form.  He has joined a yard that does really well here, with 4 winners from 15 runners this year and 3 from 8 in 2020 and Whitfield improved one to win on the first start for her here last month (Laquyood).  The draw in stall 4 is another positive.

2.57pm Lyon – 1pt win Federspieler @ 33-1 (all firms except William Hill)