I like the look of a couple in the opening Quinté at Saint-Cloud this afternoon, none more so than Brok, who looks to have a big chance of securing back-to-back wins, having scored impressively at ParisLongchamp on his handicap debut five weeks ago.
The son of Soldier Hollow is a strong-travelling sort and it was noticeable how well he went through the race last time, slipping the field while still on the bridle and keeping on strongly for a facile success. The manner of victory certainly suggests he is more than capable of defying this 4kg rise in the weights.
He still holds a Group 1 entry for next month and was also entered in the Prix du Jockey Club, while it is also notable that he was entered in two Listed contests in recent weeks before connections decided to head here. Out of a Listed winner over this course and distance, I am confident he is capable of mixing it in a higher grade in time and he is worth supporting today.
In the same race, I am also having a small bet on High Lady. The daughter of Camelot ran a fair race in defeat in class 2 company at Chantilly a month ago on what was her first outing since winning a maiden at Angers last October. Her dam was very progressive in these colours, landing the Group 2 Prix Corrida over 2100m here in 2013, and High Lady looks a likely improver this season. She goes handicapping off a fair opening mark and I like the booking of Eddy Hardouin, who is on board for the first time and has ridden three winners and two seconds for the yard from nine rides this year.
12.50pm Saint-Cloud – 1pt win Brok @ 6-1 (all firms, though 10-1 available with Bet365)
12.50pm Saint-Cloud – 0.5pts win High Lady @ 12-1 (Skybet, 11-1 elsewhere)
