An early start for French Racing fans at Le Lion d’Angers this morning.
Remember that as it’s the weekend, Fitzdares are refunding 10% of French Racing Weekend Losses – definitely something to bear in mind when selecting your French Racing bookie.
In Race 2 at Le Lion D’Angers, 11/4 Ser Sed and 9/2 Drag Lift are previous winners but with questions to answer in this juvenile contest. It doesn’t look the strongest race for the money, with no major Chantilly yards represented, and I’m happy to side with an improving filly in Ghrainne.
Sent off third favourite on debut, she’s had four runs now but ran a career best this month when running 2nd to Start Me Up at Dieppe – a colt that will next be seen in stakes company at Vichy.
Ghrainne has plenty of early speed, a big asset in provincial sprints, and should be clear favourite based on recent form.
10.20am Le Lion d’Angers – 1pt win Ghrainne @ 11/4 (all firms)
30 minutes later there’s an opportunity for regular readers to try to recoup on our 14-1 runner-up Duyfken from Longchamp last time! He’s obviously well-handicapped but not only is he favourite for the 10.50am contest, he won’t benefit from Arthur Mossé’s claim (Madamet takes over).
At a slightly bigger price, the Churchill filly Shahnameh is worth persevering with over 2400m as she moved well when sent off as a warm favourite for a handicap at Longchamp over 2700m.
Either she didn’t stay or perhaps she bled – but prior to that she was seen to great effect in the provinces when making all in a poor maiden at La Roche-Posay. A return to a turning track today might help and Léa Bails can claim 3lbs (33% win rate for Graffard).
10.50am Le Lion d’Angers – 1pt win Shahnameh @ 11/2 (most firms, Paddy Power and Betfair Sportsbook are 5-1)