Chantilly 3YOs - 24th March

Some of the bigger yards in France have yet to hit top form in 2025, but that's certainly not the case for Francis-Henri Graffard. A winner with 5 of his last 12 -runners, he is operating at a 27% strike rate so far this year and landed a treble on Monday's card at Chantilly. There are plenty of 3-year-old maiden races in France at this time of year and not all of the winners will turn out to be superstars. However, there were several impressive winners in the famous Aga Khan silks on Monday, with both Cankoura and Zalari particularly catching the eye. Here are my notes on the 3-year-old races from a fascinating card;

"PSF Standard"

Winner	Time	Réduction KM	Final 3-Furlongs
Cankoura	115.84	60.96	36.40
Kerkila	79.49	61.14	35.01
Zalari	77.62	59.70	34.78
Porte Molitor	122.80	64.25	35.45
Acacus	117.68	61.93	NA

PRIX DE LA PISTOLE

A 9-length win for Cankoura who doubled her tally for Francis-Henri Graffard. Sat behind the pace from the hard pulling Yoga Master (4th) but once on terms has pulled clear in little more than a hack canter. Suspect that this form in behind her will prove to be suspect. Big Surprise (2nd) and Vegetale (3rd) are already shaping like they need 12-furlongs and the turf. The winner hasn’t had to clock above 60 km/h in the straight to win going away, though this had a strong pace for a small field and an overall speed rating of 100 suggests the hard pulling Yoga Master was doing far too much in the opening 4-furlongs.

PRIX DU BASSIN DES SERRURIERS

Kerkila (Graffard) is a Too Darn Hot filly out of a Siyouni mare who reached a rating of 41. Sat in mid-division and looked a straightforward ride, moving clear in the final furlong, although well placed. PMU odds 5.2.

Cala Rossa (2nd) is also with Graffard. Came from further back and has run on well from the rear of mid-division. Ran final 3-furlongs in 34.91s and should probably have won with a more prominent position. Took a big step forward from 9th placed finish on debut at Deauville in July.

Why Not Again (3rd) has run on between horses in the closing stages. Finished 4th here in February and has probably stepped forwards by 5-6 lbs here. Janayen (4th) has had an ideal position in front but faded in the final furlong. This could be a fitness issue on her first start since September, but she ran a similar race on both starts last season when fading in the final furlong. Gets a mark after this run, but suspect finisher for now.

Bobrovkha (5th) improved on her debut 11th last time. Outpaced but kept on. Kendargent filly who must surely improve on the turf. * Has an entry at Compiegne on Friday.

Makhdoma (8th) was sent off 3.9 PMU for her debut. Missed the break by 4-lengths and was never in it afterwards. Kept on under a hands ride and didn’t lose any further ground in the straight. Came home in 35.03s. Improvement to come and surely capable of better if getting out on terms?

PRIX DU BASSIN DU PRINCE

Zalari (Graffard) had needed the experience when finishing 4th on debut at Saint-Cloud. Improved here, breaking well to sit prominently. Moved forwards at the cut away and with one strike pulled readily clear to win by 6-lengths. The best horse on this card. Kodiac Colt, Dam reached 47-kilos (Zavya). 64 km/h in the penultimate furlong.

Aurora Borealis (2nd) was keen in the early stages and Theo Bachelot was keen to settle him as a result. Ran on well without ever closing on the winner. Capable of winning a maiden if settled better. Ran to a similar level when 3rd on debut behind Sahlan in November.

Zelzal Dream (3rd) is now 0-6. Rating of 35-kilos is fair on form, but lacked the pace to challenge the winner and was well placed. Received 3.5-kilos here with riders' claim. Dream Op Fan (4th) and Aston Clinton (5th) have stayed on, but were never a threat.

PRIX TALWEG

Steadily run race that became a sprint. Porte Molitor sat behind the leader and waited for the cutaway. Alison Massin was careful not to ask her for everything, but she battled on well to beat Bogota (2nd) on the line. This was an improvement on her earlier form and she finished her race well when the 2nd looked more likely at the furlong pole, but the slow pace aided this.

Sevara (3rd) had every chance. Didn’t find in the final furlong and like many of Andre Fabre’s she hasn’t finished her race. More time and possibly a better pace will suit. Mahasen (4th) has a mark of 39.5. Slightly inflated perhaps. Came with a winning run here but didn’t finish well once putting her nose in front. Might be better coming wide rather than through runners.

Goldygirl (5th) was the fastest finisher in 35.22s, having been further back than ideal. At least matched form of her 3rd placed finish here on debut in November. Worth forgiving given the way this race panned out.

PRIX TANDEM

*No Tracking Data Available

Acacus finished 2nd here at the start of the month. He was keen in the early stages here and wanted to go faster, but once asked for an effort, he has stayed on best to win this, though he did take 100-yards or so to quicken when it mattered.

Tusker (2nd) stayed on down the outside of the field, though he couldn’t get himself on terms with the winner in the final furlong. Fair family with handicap form, but was in receipt of 2-kilos. Lakota Bleu (3rd) also ran on late and was slightly inconvenienced by the gap closing in front of him. Ran to a similar level here 3-weeks ago and will now get a mark.