Horse Racing
Season
Poule d'Essai des Poulains - Form Comments

10/05/2024 19:06

G1 - 1600m - Turf

Alcantor

Some classy 2yo form included a close second in a 1600m Saint-Cloud G1. But nowhere near that form when starting favourite but racing much too freely and weak at the end in a Newmarket G3 last month.

Beauvatier

Had an excellent 2yo season, finishing with a 1400m G1 third at Longchamp. Looked all set to win a G3 trial for this here last month, only for race-fitter favourite Ramadan to quicken again. Chances.

Dancing Gemini

An easy Doncaster Listed winner last September but couldn’t build on that when up to this trip on heavy ground in a G1 at the same track. Nonetheless he looks set for a rewarding 2024 career.

Diego Velazquez

Impressive when landing first two starts last season, latterly in G2 company over this trip at Leopardstown. Then disappointed in a G1 but he simply didn’t seem to act on the heavy ground.

Eben Shaddad

Race by race progress in three starts last year, latterly when third in a Newmarket G1. Second to the subsequent 2000 Guineas third Haatem in a G3 over this distance last month but needs to relax better in the early stages.

Henry Longfellow

Unbeaten in three starts last season, all over 1400m at The Curragh. The way he quickened to win a G1 there in September was undeniably impressive and he should have no issue with 1600m. Chance.

Keran

Easily too swift for his rivals over 1300m on the all-weather in February. Up to G3 class over 1400m at Deauville, he ran a solid second despite not looking to enjoy the heavy ground.

Metropolitan

Won at Deauville and Chantilly last year. Raised in class for a G3 trial over this course and distance last month, he finished fifth without posing a real threat.

Orne

Led throughout to win a 1400m Newmarket G3 last November, and, though he has not managed to win in four starts this year, he has posted respectable placed efforts in all those starts.

Puchkine

Supplemented into this French Classic, he won his first four starts and proving himself at this trip albeit at a notably lesser level than this. Beaten into second as a hot favorite in Listed company at Toulouse last month.

Ramadan

Has developed into a very smart 3yo, winning both starts including a G3 trial over this course and distance last month, quickening again when challenged by Beauvatier. All wins on slow ground, but he may be even better on quicker conditions.

Roshvar

A Deauville all-weather winner last November, making an encouraging start to 2024 when second in a heavy ground conditions’ event over the Poulains course and distance. More needed though.

Supercooled

Posted a career-best performance on his latest start when justifying favouritism by proving too strong for six rivals over this course and distance. Up sharply in class now.