Group 1’s in France and England

Plenty of Group 1 action this Saturday with Newmarket hosting two and Longchamp doing the same.

In Paris the build-up to the Arc begins with two long-distance races, the Prix Du Cadran over 2m4f and Prix De Royallieu over 1m6f.

Irish horses contest both with Aidan O’Brien’s Emily Dickinson and Charles Byrnes Run For Oscar taking in the Prix Du Cadran. Library represents Ballydoyle in the Prix De Royallieu with Shamida also travelling from Rosewell House for Dermot Weld.

Prix Du Cadran (G1)

Six go in the Cadran with Trueshan favourite at 5/4 with Emily Dickinson currently second in the betting at 7/4 with Run For Oscar third in the market at 4/1 from 8/1 yesterday. Trueshan has been very carefully handled and only runs with cut in the ground. He missed the Ascot Gold Cup because of the firm ground and was saved for Doncaster where he won the Doncaster Cup over 2m2f while Emily Dickinson was turned over 6L at Goodwood by Quickthorn when all the jockeys let Oisin Murphy go clear. In fairness to her she was the one to run on for second.

Run For Oscar, the runaway winner of the Cesarewitch at Newmarket last year when backed off the boards has plenty to find with Emily Dickinson having run a 7¾L fourth to her in the Curragh Cup however the market move is suggesting he’s in good order.

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Prix De Royallieu (G1)

Shamida is a winner of her last three runs, the last twice at G3 level both over 1m6f. Last time out she beat Dawn Rising who ran third thereafter in both the Irish St Leger and Irish Cesarewitch. She keeps improving.

Library is a big price at 28/1 however her form is improving. She won at Listed level in May was then beaten 7¾L by Shamida in the Stanerra Stakes in July, then a week later, she was third in the Irish Oaks at 80/1 and ran second last time out in a G3 at Cork.

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Cheveley Park Stakes (G1)

Aidan O’Brien sends two and son Donnacha sends one.

Cherry Blossom was a good winner of a maiden in August at the Curragh over 6f. She found Relief Rally (now withdrawn) too good over the same trip at York and was then well beaten in the Goff’s Million by One Look over 7f. The step back in trip is in her favour as is the return to good ground. She’s accompanied by Pearls and Rubies, a huge filly, who will come into her own next year.

Donnacha’s Porto Fortuna won the Albany at Royal Ascot and came up short in the Phoenix Stakes and also in the Moyglare Stakes where she didn’t look to stay the 7f. Again the step back in trip is in her favour as is the return to good ground.

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Middle Park Stakes (G1)

River Tiber and Givemethebeatboys are the Irish challengers in the race.

Ballydoyle’s River Tiber won twice over the minimum trip before taking the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in impressive style from Army Ethos and subsequent Group 1 winner Bucanero Fuerte with Givemethebeatboys filling fourth place. He had a setback prior to the Morny so his third on very soft ground to Vandeek, who’ll vie for favouritism here, and Ramatuelle was a better run than it looked at the time.

Jessica Harrington’s colt, Givemethebeatboys prior to the Coventry won a Navan Maiden and the G3 Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh. After the Coventry, he was behind Bucanero Fuerte and Porto Fortuna when stepped into Group 1 company in the Phoenix Stakes.

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Recommendation

Prix Du Cadran – Emily Dickinson 7/4 win

Prix De Royallieu – Shamida 6/1 win

Cheveley Park Stakes – Porto Fortuna 8/1 ew

Middle Park Stakes – River Tiber 5/2 win

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