The brilliant French filly Treve makes her first British appearance this afternoon in the feature race of the day the Prince Of Wales's Stakes and she cannot be opposed despite losing her unbeaten record in the Prix Ganay last time to subsequent Coronation Cup winner Cirrus Des Aigles.
Such was the brilliance of her Arc win at Longchamp last autumn that it came as a great shock to the racing world when she lost her 100% record but she was making her seasonal debut against a battle-hardened warrior on ground which would have suited Cirrus Des Aigles more than herself.
She is drawn in stall two and should get carried into the race by Mukhradam, who likes to try and force the issue, who is the only horse drawn inside her. Having got a good tow into the race I fully expect her class to prevail and would be bitterly disappointed if she didn't return to winning ways. She was 2/1 for today's race having met with defeat in Paris but is now 4/6 at BetVictor and it is hard to see past a fourth French success in the race in the last eight years.
The opening Jersey Stakes sees any number of unexposed three-year-olds including the unbeaten That Is The Spirit representing the yard of David O'Meara who has been slowly but professionally moving up through the ranks and was value for more than the nose he beat Parbold at Epsom last time. He is drawn near the stand rail in stall 20 and at 12/1 with BetVictor he can reward each way support.
On the other side of the course, however, is Muwarry (2.30) who gets the nod having finished fourth in the French Guineas last month when refusing to settle. Today's drop back in trip should not be an inconvenience and he gets the vote although I suggest he will drift from his current show of 4/1.
Drawn in the middle of the track in the Queen Mary is the juvenile I have most been looking forward to this week and hope to see a very bold show from Anthem Alexander (3.05) who has already been backed from 4s into 7/2. Having shown plenty of promise on debut at the Curragh over 6f on soft ground she was a revelation back at the minimum trip on fast ground at Tipperary and I would be disappointed if she didn't go very close for Eddie Lynam who does so well with his sprinters.
Sky Lantern was a brilliant winner of the Coronation Stakes at this meeting 12 months ago but she carries a 5lb penalty for that success and lacks a recent run, She was beaten first time out last season and my two against the field are Integral and my each way selection Purr Along (4.25) who looked back to her very best when scoring at the Curragh on her first start for Johnny Murtagh. The 14/1 at BetVictor went yesterday but 12/1 looks a fair each way price in another wonderful race.
The Hunt Cup is one of the biggest betting races of the week and we are enhancing the place terms to ¼ odds first five and at 5/1 I would be surprised if recent Epsom winner Abseil (5.00) couldn't defy a 5lb penalty which the colt needed to get into the race. He should be more at home on this more conventional track and he looks a Group hose in a handicap. Some might think 5/1 in a 30-runner race is far too skinny but he really might be a bit better than a handicapper and receives weight from all bar one of today's rivals.
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