It has been another excellent week for Race Sharp contributor Theo Bachelot, who has now ridden at least one winner on each of his last six racedays.  Theo is currently in a clear second place in the French Jockeys’ Championship and on his way back from Chantilly today, he talked us through his chances over the next couple of days.

PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

I was delighted with Cassiopea, who won a Class 1 at Chantilly yesterday.

She had finished last season (for her previous yard) on a quiet note. However, she has clearly done well for the winter break and given her trainer felt beforehand that he had left something to work with, it is very encouraging for the season ahead. A return to a straight seven furlongs would probably suit her and hopefully she can make her mark in a higher grade.

SAINT-CLOUD TOMORROW

I haven’t ridden Atalante  (Race 2, 1.33pm) in her two starts so far, but I saw her win at Chantilly in January and she ran very well to finish fourth in a class 1 there last time, where she didn’t have the clearest of runs.  It will be interesting to see how she takes to the turf, as that will tell us whether she can go on to justify the big entries that she holds.

Zealandia (Race 3, 2.15pm) has been working nicely in preparation for his seasonal comeback and ran well here last year, but this is a Quinte, so realistically we would be delighted to see him run well and reach the frame.

Cantos (Race 4, 2.45pm) is making his debut, but it doesn’t look the strongest of maidens on paper and his trainer (Marian Falk Weissmeier) feels he can run a very nice race on debut, as he thinks plenty of the horse.  The yard is in great form as well.

I thought Stephanie Nigge’s Cold Play (Race 8, 4.45pm) ran really well at Saint-Cloud last time.  He can be a shade keen, but if he settles well and they go a good gallop, I would be very hopeful with him.

In the final race (5.15pm), the in-form Amazing Filly faces a tougher task than when winning a handicap at Lyon last time, but she did it well and has a good chance of reaching the frame.

LOOKING AHEAD TO CHANTILLY ON MONDAY

Mrs Upjohn (Race 3, 2.15pm) won her first two starts since coming over here (previously trained in the UK), but though she didn’t quite get the breaks in Listed company last time, she still looked up against it at that level.  I think she wants good ground, which she should get on Monday, and being back in handicap company (even though this is a Quinte) should help.

Mister Nino (Race 5, 3.45pm) is in good form at home, but he does need plenty of work as he is quite  a heavy horse and we will just have to see if he is straight enough for his debut.  He showed lots of quality last year (his best effort came when second in Listed company at Saint-Cloud in October) and hopefully he can progress again this year.

ALL-WEATHER CHAMPIONSHIPS VIEWS!

I caught some of the All-Weather Championships races after racing at Chantilly today and was really impressed by Khuzaam, who produced a pretty exceptional performance to win the mile race.

Hollie Doyle got a brilliant run out of Pholas, who finished very quickly and is clearly improving very fast, given where she started from this year!