Heavy ground at Saint-Cloud today and that will suit Ostia, who looks overpriced to bounce back to form in the claimer (1.07pm).
She won twice on heavy ground at Cagnes in January this year for Francois Monfort, after which she was claimed for €20,000. She had no chance against the smart Caliste there in February, but still ran very creditably, and was then fifth in handicap company off a mark of 35.5, a repeat of which would be more than enough to win this.
She was moved by her owners to Nicolas Caullery two starts back and the ground has been against her on both occasions, so I wouldn’t read much into the performances.
Her career record on ground that is very soft/heavy reads three wins, a second, a third and two fourths from nine runs – she relishes tough conditions, in contrast to most in this field.
Nicolas Caullery’s team are in great form at present and he places his team very well in this grade, with five winners and four seconds from 19 runners in claimers since the beginning of April alone.
Her sire Sommerabend enjoyed his biggest success over this course and distance when winning the Group 2 Prix Du Muguet in soft ground in 2014 and though this is a fair few rungs down the ladder, hopefully Ostia can follow suit!
1.07pm Saint-Cloud – 1pt win Ostia @ 11-1 (Bet Victor, Boylesports, 12-1 Mansionbet, 10-1 all other firms)
