Holding The Aces

In the absence of the G1 1000 Guineas-bound High Celebrity (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), today's G3 Prix Imprudence looks a soft touch for His Highness Aga Khan's Ervedya (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) as Maisons-Laffitte hosts the first significant Classic trial of 2015. Whether or not the leading 3-year-old filly of the Pau stable of Jean-Claude Rouget will be in the line-up across the sea in just over four weeks' time remains to be seen, but she would be one of the main contenders if she builds on her solid juvenile form here. Last seen finishing runner-up to Ballydoyle's current Guineas ante-post favorite and 'TDN Rising Star' Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the flagship G1 Prix Marcel Boussac on Longchamp's Arc card, the homebred who had previously won over six furlongs in Deauville's G3 Prix de Cabourg and finished third in that track's G1 Prix Morny in August sets the standard. If there is a “dark horse” lurking among the field, it could be Katsumi Yoshida's purchase Fontanelice (Ire) (Vale of York {Ire}) who has been switched to the Criquette Head-Maarek barn which holds the record of 10 winners of this prize. Formerly with Stefano Botti, one of the luminaries of a beleaguered Italian racing scene in 2014 dead-heated in the six-furlong G3 Premio Primi Passi and captured the G3 Premio Dormello over a mile at the San Siro in June and October respectively. Effective from the front, the bay encounters testing ground for the first time and that could prove her achilles heel. Jean-Claude Seroul's Ameenah (Fr) (American Post {GB}) had the Niarchos Family's highly promising but ultimately disappointing 'TDN Rising Star' Night of Light (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and Guy Pariente's Kenouska (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) back in second and third respectively in the G3 Prix Miesque over this course and distance in November and could yet enter the fray for Newmarket, despite not holding an entry at present.

Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.

Copy Article Link

X

Never miss another story from the TDN

Click Here to sign up for a free subscription.