2.55 Saint Cloud: Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud
This year’s Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud looks wide open with last year’s winner Silverwave the favourite around 4/1 and the runner up in that race Erupt popular around 9/1.
Last year’s race was run on good ground which really suited the aforementioned horses but this time it will be much slower. The ground is listed as good to soft but it could turn softer with more rain likely throughout the day so stamina could be a premium.
If the ground does deteriorate it could pay to side with Doha Dream and Tiberian. Tiberian has looked impressive in his two starts this season on soft ground and has won over much further than today’s 12 furlongs so he will want it to be a true stamina test. He is available at 12/1 with the UK bookmakers but currently hovers around 6.7 on the PMU.
Doha Dream finished last of five behind Silverwave on his seasonal debut but he was up against race fit rivals and wasn’t given an hard ride to come home less than 3 lengths behind the winner. He was very progressive last year while being kept away from key races during the summer, registering 5 wins in 7 outings, culminating in a group 2 win in the Prix Chaudenay over 15 furlongs. He seems to handle all ground and if it does turn testing then he has plenty of stamina.
At shorter prices, Hawkbill is interesting; especially with what price he could be on the PMU as he currently hovers around 7.1 while being a best priced 9/2 in the UK. He brings in some great form on soft ground, but the only reservation would be his poor performances when travelling, having been well beaten here in the Prix Ganay and also running below par in the Grosser Preis Von Bayern.
On last year’s classic form Zarak should have been a leading fancy for this but he seems to find more than his fair share of trouble in running and has developed a few quirks of late that have seen him beaten at short prices.
Recommended Bets
Doha Dream, 20+ on Betfair or on the PMU if bigger
Tiberian, 14+ on Betfair or 12/1 with the UK bookies
