I must apologise for having this notepad post slightly out of sync, but a combination of the Group 1 meeting at Deauville on the same day and the fact that I have begun to write this years French recruits series has left me a little behind time this week. Everyone wants to try and find a good hurdles propsect for the new season it seems and whilst a meeting at Dieppe in the middle of August is later than ideal for that purpose, there were some eye-catching performances to note. However, as I have said before on this blog, I wear glasses for a reason and whilst visually the winners looked to be very impressive, the underlying data would suggest that this form does need to be treated with some caution. Here are my notes on the 4 hurdle races:
Souple 3,6
PRIX SAINT-ETIENNE MOTOCULTURE
Winning debut over hurdles for Lafayette who was able to dictate the pace in front and had everything beaten jumping the last. As a daughter of Zarak, there was some obvious hope that she would take to hurdles, but having had 16 starts on the Flat (1 win) it is debatable how much improvement she found. Lola des Mottes finished 2nd on debut for Gab Leenders, traveling professionally without having the speed or experience to go with the winner in the home straight. The pair were a long way clear of the rest.
Pepita Street ran to a similar level that she had when 5th here on debut, though it should be upgraded slightly given she was held up 15-lengths off the pace and was never able to get involved.
PRIX RJP IMMO
Back to back wins for Ayeth. No doubting that he was ideally positioned in front, but he was always holding Hamandio in 2nd and the pair of them had looked clear on form before the off. The handicapper has given him another 3.5-kilo rise to a mark of 54, which might push him out of this grade next time, but still in the best form of his career. Hamandio remains consistent, but would appear to be caught between the handicap grades.
PRIX HERACLIA
A comfortable 10-length win for Pickland, who had been 4th in a hot race on debut at Dieppe in July behind Maitre en Science. He improved, but he was another winner on the card to make all the running and the 2nd placed Lucki Blue is rated 56.5-kilos after 6 starts. Shaped like he ran close to that level, but this ice was setup for a horse to control it from the front and so it proved.
PRIX JOLIS FLACONS
A winning debut over hurdles for Bella Luna (had 2 starts on the Flat in Germany). Time figure helped by runaway leader (Kaaris D’Airy, finished 8th beaten 35-lengths+). Nicely on top at the finish but weighted to do so and probably ran to no better than a mark of 55-kilos when winning here. Possible to oppose her next time.
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