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Statistic Of The Week of French Racing News - 16th April 2021.

The G3 Prix de la Grotte (1600m), held at Paris Longchamp, is considered one of the key trial races for the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches over the same course and distance. The betting market for the Classic is often dictated by the result of the trial – seven of the last ten Prix de la Grotte winners have started favourite for the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. However, the Prix de la Grotte/Poule d'Essai des Pouliches double is traditionally more difficult than many assume. In the last decade, only three have won both contests despite heavy market support.

The similar challenge of the Prix de la Grotte offers trainers an opportunity to test their best fillies over course and distance but only one Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner in the previous decade – aside from the three identified above (Castle Lady, Beauty Parlour and Golden Lilac) – has even raced in the trial. Dream and Do was second behind Tropbeau in 2020 before reversing the form in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. With this in mind, racing fans may only want to follow the winner of the Prix de la Grotte, and even then, must be aware that the double is harder to achieve than expected.