Chantilly today

I have four rides at Chantilly today, starting with Magical Forest in the Quinte handicap.  She has done so well since joining Stephane Wattel, winning her first three starts for the yard.  The handicapper probably has the measure of her for now and it looks a tough assignment today, but she is a game mare and I hope she can run another nice race.

Skycutter goes in the Listed for Joanna Hughes.  He is a model of consistency and I was delighted with his run at Lyon last time, which was the first time I had ridden him.  That form has since been franked by the winner and hopefully he can take a step forwards again.  However, it does look quite a deep contest.

Ayda has her first run for Gianluca Bietolini in the second division of the staying handicap.  Having won over two miles, she clearly won’t lack for stamina.

My best chance of the day, Selket, goes in the last race. She was second in a claimer last time, is favoured by the weights and should have an excellent chance.

Which horses impressed you most last week?

I’ll nominate two that I didn’t ride last week that impressed me!

The first is Skazino, who was a bit of a revelation in the Group 3 Prix de Barbeville, stepping up in trip beyond 1m4f for the first time.  I thought it was a very impressive performance. Karlarina finished third to him and I was pleased with her run, as though she was beaten a fair way, the ground certainly was against her and I imagine she will now have a little rest and wait for some soft-ground targets later in the season.

The other one to catch my eye was Fenelon, who won the Listed Prix de l’Avre at Longchamp for Nicolas Clement.  He looks a really powerful individual and I was really taken by his win. Nicolas looks to have a very exciting team of horses this year, with three of them winning in the space of two days over the weekend in class 2, class 1 and Listed company.