Race Prview: Prix Zarkava and Prix Edmond Blanc at Saint-Cloud
2.45 Saint-Cloud, Prix Zarkava
Andre Fabre’s two runners, in Armande and Jollify look likely to dominate the market in this 10 furlong conditions event. The Fabre horses have been running OK, without been spectacular, but do seem to attract far too much attention in the French pools, but that can see nice prices on horses from the less powerful stables. It may be worth chancing the race-fit Thank You Bye Bye, trained by Jean-Pierre Gauvin who won a minor race at Lyon-Parilly, beating a decent foe in Pump Pump Palace.
She was favoured by the race conditions, receiving weight from the other runners but she showed her wellbeing and does look one of the speedier ones, suited by 10 furlongs and good ground. At a probable double figure price she is worth chancing in this open race with many things in her favour.
3.30 Saint Cloud, Prix Edmond Blanc
Dicton finished third in both the Poule d’Essai des Poulains and the Prix du Jockey Club, which is by far the best form in this race. He is clear on the ratings, but receives weight from several of the fancied horses in this race.
He is making his seasonal debut, like most in here, but he was a winner first time-out last season over 7 furlongs. All his wins have come over 7 furlongs and 1 mile and ran up a sequence of four consecutive wins, which only came to an end in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains. The Gurkha ran seasons best in that race, winning by over 5 lengths, but Dicton had many of today’s runners in behind including Taareef, Attendu and Jimmy Two Times.
Trainer, Gianluca Bietolini also fields a pace-maker in the owners same colours to ensure a decent pace, so a good run must be expected first time up. The British bookmakers rightfully have Dicton as the favourite at 3/1, but it may pay to look at the PMU where he may not be as popular with the French public, with Jean-Claude Rouget (Tareef) and Andre Fabre (Jimmy Two Times) runners likely to attract plenty of support.
