Arabian racing takes centre stage at Saint-Cloud this afternoon but there are a couple of nice thoroughbred races on the undercard.
The Prix Matchem looks a good betting race to me at 2.25pm. Although Andre Fabre’s Tribalist was my each-way fancy in the French 2000 Guineas, I have been less than impressed with his performances after that and he is still chasing a win at a higher level than maiden company.
The 9/4 favourite has been kept on a rating of 49.0 and at a time where ‘fluid ratings’ in France are very much in the news, I think he deserves to be lowered for his Deauville Listed third last month.
Soft conditions would bring Making Moovies into this, but like the favouite has been campaigned over a mile recently and may find the trip today a bit sharp. It also doesn’t augur well that trainer Didier Guillemin hasn’t saddled a thoroughbred winner this month.
This is a perfect spot for Toimy Son, priced at 9/2, but has been off the track for over three months since Royal Ascot. I wouldn’t be surprised if he won but betting nice French colts in stakes company off a layoff is the road to the ‘poor house’.
I’m looking for a seven-furlong specialist here and I’ve found one in the shape of Juddmonte filly Spanish Intent. She was unraced at two but has showed enough on the track this year to be competitive in this grade with the sex allowance. Henri-Francois Devin has found her difficult to place but I think he could be rewarded this afternoon for ducking alternative races against her own sex over more popular six furlong and mile trips.
The ground is a slight concern as she is a daughter of Acclamation, but her dam ran fine on soft and good to soft going and her Camelot half-sister Ricetta won her maiden on soft ground at Leicester. I certainly prefer her chances to both Loliwood (beaten off 43.0 in a handicap) and the penalised German listed winner Copie.
2.25pm Saint-Cloud – 1pt win Spanish Intent @ 7-1 (Sky Bet, Paddy Power, Betfair Sportsbook, Bet Victor, Quinn Bet and Pari Match)