An AQPS Flat race on a wet Wednesday afternoon at Argentan is probably not high on the list of priorities for most racing fans, but this course has a habit of prodcuing top class horses and I thought that this years renewal of the Prix Cadoudal was worthy of note. The most obvious horse to associate with an AQPS race at Argentan is Intense Raffles. Last years Irish Grand National winner actually made his debut in a 3-year-old AQPS race at the track in 2021. He stood out that day, not least because he managed to run the final 3-furlongs in a faster time than the 6-furlong sprint handicappers on the same card. Before you get too excited, I should make clear that Wednesdays AQPS race did not look likely to produce a horse of his calibre, but the winner did very well to win from a poor racing position and it should be a race where the first few home are worth following.
Here are my notes and time comparisons:
Argentan AQPS - 9th October
Tres Souple 4,0 (Raining)
Winner | Time | Réduction Km | Final Circuit |
Las Canals | 188.50 | 75.40 | 116.25 |
Pompano | 182.90 | 73.16 | 115.41 |
PRIX CADOUDAL
Las Canals missed the break and had to be driven for the first 2 furlongs to close the gap. Forced to sit in Mid-division, from a steady pace, he did well to get a run through on the inside and just managed to get on top of Le Temps Precis (2nd) in the closing stages. This race developed into a sprint from the home turn and the fact that he clearly handled the softer ground was a major benefit, as was the fact that Hugo Lebouc kicked too soon onboard Le Temps Precis. However, the pair were 2.5-lengths clear of the rest.
Las Canals (winning here on debut) is closely related to Grangee (WP Mullins, Dam is a half-sister).
Lazher (3rd) did look to improve for the switch to softer ground, but he had been soundly beaten at Fougeres and La Roche-Sur-Yon earlier in the season. Look Star Emery (4th) had run to a similar level on debut at Le Mans, but looks like a horse who simply needs further than 12-furlongs.
PRIX PHILIPPE DE BOURGOING (Comparison only)
Pompano won by 8-lengths, primarily because he went wide in the back straight and gained an advantage. This was a 4YO maiden and the field were strung out at wide intervals. He has an official rating of 23-kilos and this was a first win in 5 starts, though he has won over hurdles at Senonnes.
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