A couple of bets in the maidens at Lyon this evening, starting with Onzemai in the colts & geldings contest (5.45pm).
The son of Dream Ahead looked in need of the experience on debut at Deauville in November, and was drawn in the car park for his second start at the same course last month. Forced to drop in as a result and with no pace on, I thought he ran a good bit better than the form figure suggests, making up ground out wide and doing best of those held up.
A scopey individual, he looks the type to continue to progress and the fact Graffard travels him to Lyon and adds cheekpieces for this third run suggests a maiden win is the objective, rather than a third qualifying run for handicaps.
His full brother took a few goes to get off the mark but ended up winning at Group level for Philippe Decouz, so there is encouragement in the pedigree.
5.45pm Lyon – 1pt win, 0.5pt place Onzemai @ 6-1 (all firms)
In the fillies’ maiden, I like the look of Crazyvores, who holds strong claims back at this level.
She was finishing really strongly over 1m2f at Marseille last time, having been outpaced, so the drop back to 1m1f isn’t ideal. However, that effort came in class 2 company and, with the possible exception of the favourite, this looks a fair bit weaker.
She was hampered at a crucial stage when sixth in another class 2 event on her previous start, which came over course and distance, and had previously run very well at Chantilly, when she had today’s second favourite, Society Ball, in behind.
She has a good page and her yard couldn’t be in better form, having had an incredible six winners at Marseille on Tuesday.
6.15pm Lyon – 2pts win, 1pt place Crazyvores @ 9/2 (all firms)
