The opening newcomers’ contest at Salon-de-Provence features three from the Reynier and Vermeulen yards, but we’ll take a chance on Field Of Glory at a big price.
Philippe Cottier has a considerably bigger string this season, inheriting a lot of the ‘Rossis’, and they have been ticking over well enough in recent weeks.
A second foal, Field Of Glory is a brother to Belgian Prince, who took a little while to find his feet, but has won at class 2 level around here and is now a solid 37.5 performer (83 UK). The dam won twice at three and achieved a career-high mark of 40.5 (89 UK), and she’s a half-sister to Listed winner Marceti, as well as a 99UK-rated gelding at this sort of trip.
Prince Gibraltar gets his fair share of winners under both codes and Cottier has had a couple of maiden winners for Ecurie Du Sud (who co-own this) in recent weeks.
2.50pm Salon de Provence – 1pt win, 0.5pt place Field Of Glory @ 14-1 (all firms)
I don’t think the 1m2f maiden is going to take much winning and while favourite Mano De Dios is respected, I’m siding with Ya La Bye.
Philippe Sogorb remains in terrific form and this three year old ran better than the result suggests when third at Pornichet last time. She was ultimately well beaten by the winner, but she travelled wide throughout and went clear in the straight before just tiring late on.
That wasn’t much of a race, but she is entitled to build on it, her only previous run having come at Pau in February, when given a quiet ride under an apprentice. She is the first foal of a Listed winner at around this trip and I’m confident there is improvement to come.
3.55pm Salon de Provence – 1pt win Ya La Bye @ 6-1 (all firms)
