The highlight of Sunday’s racing comes from the continent, as the Prix Du Jockey Club is held at Chantilly. The Sunday Series continues at Chelmsford too, so GG tipster Joe Napier visits both cards for his suggested bets.
3.05 Chantilly – Qatar Prix Du Jockey Club (Group 1)
There is every chance the French Derby goes to won of the French 2000 Guineas participants. Camille Pissarro takes up most of the market after his fast-finishing third-place effort, but only a length further behind him was DETAIN, on whom the Gosdens have booked Christophe Soumillon.
The son of Wootton Bassett is 3/3 on the all-weather and 0/2 on turf, but that looks unlikely to be the case for too long. Detain finished well for sixth in the French Guineas having been as ill-positioned as Camille Pissarro and also met more trouble in-running up the straight.
On breeding, he should be more at home at middle distances this season and his draw in stall 6 is a good one in this big field. If Soumillon can ensure he races in a better track position, then he could well overturn those placings, as he looks he number one representative for the yard.
5.45 Chelmsford – Sky Bet For The Fans Handicap
With headgear now applied after a disappointing stable debut, HEDGE FUND could now come good on his second start for Mick Appleby in this 5f handicap.
The four-year-old was beginning to come back to form at the end of last season, with his two best efforts since May coming on his only two all-weather starts. He has one win and one second in his three races on artificial surfaces, so could well benefit for this switch back to Chelmsford from the turf.
He was well-backed on his bow for Appleby only to drop out very tamely. However, given he went off as joint favourite that day, more is likely expected at some stage, and with that run under his belt and the hood applied, it could well be today.
6.15 Chelmsford – Sky Bet Build A Bet Fillies’ Handicap
Likealot looks a very interesting contender returned to the course and distance she won over on debut, but another filly to have won on her only all-weather start to date is BOWERCHALKE, which likewise came on Polytrack at Kempton. She could be just as well treated by the handicapper too.
Her win looked an isolated incident when surrounded by three below par turf efforts either side, but that Kempton form was solid, with plenty of those in behind racing to a decent standard since, including a couple of winners. Bowerchalke herself improved for the step up to this 1m2f distance from 7f when beaten just a neck by the opposing Ciara Pearl at Nottingham.
She meets that rival on only 1lb better terms, but the return to the all-weather could be a factor which sees her turn the tables, with a mark of 77 workable if building on that one victory.
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