I am keen to take on favourite Moujik at Dax this morning (11.50am), as he faces two relative newcomers to France that both have strong cases to be made for them, having finished nearly upsides at Bordeaux last time. However, with the possibility of more improvement now that she is with Philippe Sogorb, I have sided with Innervisions.
She is an impeccably-bred filly, being by Dubawi and the second foal of a Group 1-winning mare whose first foal was a black-type performer. She started out promisingly at two, but didn’t progress for Willie McCreery and was well held on her debut for Sogorb at Pornichet in March. However, she took a good step forwards at Bordeaux last time, running another Rouget hotpot very close with Wejdan just nosed out in third. However, though that one has Listed form in the UK, she didn’t look the most resolute in the finish (not for the first time).
This race doesn’t look any stronger, her early pace should see her get a good position at a track that suits horses ridden prominently, and she is open to further progress on her third start for this yard.
11.50am Dax – 1pt each-way Innervisions @ 5-1 (Paddy Power, Betfair, Bet Victor, Betfred, Boylesports)
One for a small bet at a very big price on the Auteuil card, with Beautiful Horse an interesting outsider in the claimer (5.25pm).
Her small yard doesn’t get many winners, but the trainer has a couple of homebred families that produce National Hunt winners and Beautiful Horse hails from one of them. She showed a glimmer of ability on the flat last year and though she was too keen on her reappearance in the Prix Geographie here last month, she led the field for a long way and once headed, actually stayed on better than could’ve been expected, especially in that company.
This is a massive drop in grade, as it looks a weak claimer, and it is worth noting her trainer has plenty of previous with juveniles dropping into claiming hurdles – in this family alone, her half-sister won a claimer around here as a three year old, while the other half-sister won second time up in a level-weights contest at Pau, despite having been very moderate on the flat.
We’re taking a chance, but there is enough going for her in a weak race to suggest that, at 40-1, she is worth chancing.
5.25pm Auteuil – 1pt each-way Beautiful Horse @ 40-1 (all firms)
