Criterium De Saint Cloud (Group 1)

The last European Group 1 race of the season.

It usually doesn’t trouble us when thinking of next years classics however it has produced some good horses in the past. It’s run over 10 f usually on soft ground so is a pointer to middle distance types. Fame and Glory won it in 2008 and last year Recital took it before going to Epsom as the Ballydoyle number one.

Aidan O’Brien has chosen to bypass this years renewal and the raiders come courtesy of Charlie Hills from England in search of a maiden Group 1, Werner Baltromei from Germany and a rare Czech runner for Arslangirey Savujev.

The Hills representative, Letsgoroundagain is doing just that having a tenth start of the season. He won twice including a Listed contest at Pontefract last time beating a 50/1 outsider by 3 1/2 L. It’s hardly inspiring form though his trainer is obviously of the view that constant improvement has come from run to run through the season. You therefore can’t knock the attempt at Group 1 glory.

German success in Paris should not come as a surprise after Danedream’s Arc win. Tai Chi has one four from five being unbeaten in the last four. The sequence began at Clairefontaine extending to Lonchamp before home wins at Baden-baden and a Group 3 at Cologne last time out.

Andre Fabre’s Mandaean will probably start favourite on the Pari Mutual after a winning debut at Lonchamp in a maiden over a 1m 1 f. The son of Manduro went off an odds on favourite and obliged by 3 L.

Nicolas Clement goes in search of an end of season double having won the Criterium International here two weeks ago with French Fifteen. His filly Brocettes is looking to remain unbeaten having carried top weight in a conditions event at Lonchamp last time.

Mirandola also won a conditions event on her last run.

Eoin O’Neill has booked the services of Pat Smullen for Madam Blanche, a winner of a minor event at Bordeaux. It’s eye catching in terms of the jockey booking for the filly through you would really require trust in the trainer to see this one win.

Tifongo brings some decent form to the race having being just edged out of third in a Group 3 last time. His previous run was again at Group 3 level where he was out of the money also. However less than a length in front of him there was French Fifteen.

Betpak Dala, the Czech runner was 2 1/2 L off Tifongo in the Group 3 last time having run prominently.

It’s not an international challenge of household names and it will be expected those taking the short prices about Mandaean will be rewarded for their conservatism however Tifongo may prove better for those who seek more risk for reward.