We have seen some very impressive maiden winners so far this week at Cagnes-Sur-Mer and there have been plenty of progressive 3-year-olds that have gone into the tracker for 2022. On Friday it’s the turn of the more established horses to take centre stage and whilst this looks a lot more competitive than the action earlier in the week, but there is still a nice prospect in the opening claimer that’s worth keeping an eye on.
CHAMP DE MARS (12:05)
6-year-old Gelding - trained by Jerome Reynier
JOCELYN TARGETT
Cityscape x La Dancia (Mull of Kintyre)
He only made 4 starts in 2021 and clearly had his issues, but when we look back to his 2020 form, there is every reason to believe that Champ De Mars is a bit better than this claiming grade. In 2020, his form figures read 871512313214, a season that saw him reach a peak rating of 39.5-kilos when he finished 4th in a Listed contest at Toulouse in the December. He finished 5th in a Class 2 handicap at Saint-Cloud in April last year, beaten less than 3-lengths and looked to be on course for another good year. Injury intervened however and he did not make his next start until December, when he returned in a Class 3 contest at Toulouse over 2400m. Having travelled nicely, he looked the most likely winner as the field turned for home and he hit the front at the 2-furlong pole. Understandably given the absence, he tired in the closing stages on the heavy ground and was caught close home by his stablemate Olympie, who had a clear fitness edge.
That was still a very encouraging performance and suggested that all of his former ability remained. He has always improved in the past for the benefit of his first outing and so there is every reason to believe that there is some improvement to come on Friday. The booking of Maxime Guyon is a definite plus, he was onboard for his last win in a Class 2 handicap at Toulouse 14 months ago and on these terms, he should go close at a trip that looks ideal. This Fridays race is a Claimer, so there is always the risk that someone will come in for him if he runs well, but regardless of that fact, if he can build on his comeback then he should remain competitive and there will be plenty of opportunities for him in the weeks ahead.
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