The Prix Jacques le Marois is the feature race at Deauville on Sunday and this year’s renewal of the Group 1 looks like a fascinating clash between some of the best milers in Europe. Check out our runner-by-runner guide to the contest, alongside Matchbook’s latest offer where new customers can claim Money Back as a Free Bet up to £30 if your first bet loses.
All odds are Matchbook Odds – Prices correct at the time of publish
1. BATHRAT LEON (Yoshito Yahagi, Ryusei Sakai)
Japanese raider who caused a shock when running out a 66/1 winner of the Group 2 Godolphin Mile (dirt) at Meydan in March. Didn’t see another rival that day under Ryusei Sakai, and prominent tactics were once again deployed in the Sussex Stakes last time, where only headed in the final furlong, ultimately finishing fourth. Is certainly worthy of his place in this line-up on the back of that, for all that he might not get his own way up front this time.
2. DJO FRANCAIS (Jean-Claude Rouget, Cristian Demuro)
Consistent colt who has finished out of the first three just once in 11 starts, finishing seventh when favourite for a Listed contest at Longchamp on penultimate run. Proved that showing to be all wrong when making all to land a Group 3 at Chantilly next time out; Dilawar (runs 3.30) second. Only just held on that day, however, and this is an exponentially tougher task, so just a watching brief can be advised.
3. ORDER OF AUSTRALIA (Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore)
Probably best known for his 40/1 2020 Breeders’ Cup Mile success, but his only wins since have come in consecutive renewals of the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes (7f) at the Curragh. Stepped back up to a mile in the Sussex Stakes last month, but he failed to beat a rival home. 17/1 third in this last year, but that latest Sussex run brought his record in European Group 1s to 0-8 and he’s probably playing for place money at best here.
4. STATE OF REST (Joseph O’Brien, Shane Crosse)
Globetrotter who’s really come good in the last 12 months, winning four of his last five starts looking a shade unfortunate not to take the Tattersalls Gold Cup on the sole defeat. Put that right with an all-the-way success in the Prince Of Wales’s at Royal Ascot last time, and whilst this looks like a race with more depth his recent form makes him a dangerous horse to dismiss. Those showings have come over 1m2f, however, and this drop back to a mile asks a significant question.
5. EREVANN (Jean-Claude Rouget, Christophe Soumillon)
Beautifully-bred Aga Khan colt who is the second foal out of their own triple Group 1 winning filly Ervedya. Yet to taste defeat in his three starts on the track to date, taking the step up into pattern company in his stride when landing a four-runner Chantilly Group 3 last time out. Every chance that there’s more still to come, and Christophe Soumillon keeps the partnership intact, but that latest form has received fairly significant knocks since.
6. COROEBUS (Charlie Appleby, William Buick)
Only defeat in his five starts came when run down late in last year’s Royal Lodge. Reappeared with a 2000 Guineas win and supplemented that in the St James’s Palace last time, for all that he did look all out to land that prize. Missed a Sussex Stakes clash due to a late setback, but this race was always on his agenda and returning to a straight mile might suit him. Likely to be well on the premises if bringing his A-game.
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7. LIGHT INFANTRY (David Simcock, Jamie Spencer)
Unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile, claiming the Group 3 Horris Hill at Newbury on just his second outing. Just under 7l off Coroebus in the 2000 Guineas on reappearance, for all that he was disadvantaged by his track position. Put up a better showing in the Prix Jean Prat last month when a fast-finishing second to Tenebrism. Worth stepping back up to a mile on that showing and handles cut in the ground, so no shock to see him get closer to Coroebus here.
8. PROSPEROUS VOYAGE (Ralph Beckett, Rob Hornby)
Looked slightly unfortunate not to land the 1000 Guineas on seasonal reappearance but failed to back that showing up when down the field in the Coronation Stakes next time. That brought her record against Inspiral to 0-3, but she managed to turn the tables on that rival returned to a straight mile in the Falmouth Stakes last time. Inspiral probably didn’t show up there, but even still she warrants respect with this track expected to suit.
9. INSPIRAL (John & Thady Gosden, Frankie Dettori)
Last season’s leading juvenile filly winning all four of her starts at 2, culminating in an impressive victory in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket. Missed the early part of this season but looked better than ever when bolting up in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on 3yo debut. Turned over at odds of 1/7F in the Falmouth Stakes last time, where she possibly bounced. Obvious claims if back to her best today.
Verdict
3yos have landed five of the last eight renewals of this race and that age group once again looks the one to focus on here, with State Of Rest expected to find this too sharp a test. Japanese raider Bathrat Leon might do best of the older horses, for all that he might not be given an easy lead this time around, yet the finishing kick of INSPIRAL should prove too strong. The Cheveley Park-owned filly was turned over at odds of 1/7 in the Falmouth last time, but she had impressively landed the Coronation Stakes on her start prior and if she’s back to that level today receiving weight, she should prove tough to stop. Old adversary Prosperous Voyage is another for the shortlist, but the main danger to the selection might instead come from Light Infantry, who is still open to improvement on the back of just four starts. 2000 Guineas winner Coroebus was below his best at Royal Ascot and has had a setback since then, so looks worth taking on for now.
- INSPIRAL
- Light Infantry
- Bathrat Leon
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