Son Cesio Escapes a Penalty in the Prix de Saint-Georges
2.35 Deauville: Prix de Saint-Georges
This 5 furlong sprint features some great sprinter from both sides of the channel, including one of my favourite horses, Signs Of Blessing.
With cut in the ground he is probably France’s best sprinter, but his chances have been severely dented with an 11lb penalty for his group one win in the Prix Maurice de Gheest last year. He ran in this race last year but could only finish 5th, without carrying a penalty, but he did improve throughout the year to be a much better horse but he is vulnerable under such a big penalty here.
At the weights, Profitable really does stand-out, but his two trips over to France have seen him finish unplaced, at 2/1 with the UK bookies is easy to bypass, though he could be a bet on the PMU at 5/1+
Finsbury Square won this race last year, beating Son Cesio by a head. This year Son Cesio could go one better and turn the tables on Finsbury Square with a 12lb swing in the weights. He had to concede 6lb to Finsbury Square last year but now the tables have been turned with Finsbury Square now carrying a 6lb penalty. When the pair met again next time out off level weights, Son Cesio beat Finsbury Square by just over two lengths into third and the additional weight swings it further in his favour. Son Cesio is currently available at 6/1 with the UK bookmakers.
3.15 Deauville: Poule D’Essai Des Pouliches
With 18 runners this year’s race is wide open with no standout performers. In the past, undefeated and unexposed horses with very little experience have fared really well. Andre Fabre’s Via Ravenna, Wajnah and Delectation fall in to this category, but it could be worth chancing Toulifaut at a big price.
Jean-Claude Rouget has won the last three editions of this race with Avenir Certain, Ervedya and Le Cressonniere, his only entry this year is Toulifaut, who had a big reputation as a 2-year-old. After winning her first 3 races she met trouble in-running in the Prix Marcel Boussac and could only finish 8th; she is a best priced 14/1 with Bet365.
She finished 4th on her seasonal debut behind Senga, who is the favourite for today’s race. She was beaten under 2 lengths and while Senga is only 3/1 for today’s race, Toulifaut is available at 16/1, which is worth chancing on her trainers record in this race.
