3 minute read
Three Timeform writers pick horses that they're most looking forward to seeing from the other races taking place at Longchamp this weekend.
Keith Melrose: Limato – Prix de La Foret, Sunday
At the start of the season, Limato was meant to be the horse that turned the inaugural Commonwealth Cup into a procession. Strictly so near, but in reality so far- he was a well-beaten second to Muhaarar at Ascot and, following another defeat at Haydock the time before, all of a sudden looked like he could prove a disappointment.
The Park Stakes changed that. Soft ground was the doubt expressed by trainer Henry Candy but, after taking a while to pick up over two furlongs out, Limato took off and surged clear of the field, winning by just shy of four lengths in the end and without looking like he’d been fully extended. Limato is now pushing the big gears again and seems bound for a Group 1. Luckily for him, arguably the biggest seven-furlong race in the world, the Prix de La Foret, is coming up just as his talent for the trip has been uncovered. Limato’s now proven on softer ground, too, so there’s no reason to think he won’t be firing again. On Sunday, I’m looking forward to confirmation, however belated, that Limato is the Group 1 winner he looked as a juvenile.
Ben Fearnley: Jazzi Top – Prix de L’Opera, Sunday
Pedigree does not determine everything in racing, but John Gosden must have had the Prix de L’Opera in mind for Jazzi Top for some time, given that her dam Zee Zee Top won the race in 2003, and her half-sister, Izzi Top, was second to Ridasiyna three years ago. Jazzi Top has progressed with all five of her starts this season, shaping better than the result at Group 1 level in both the Oaks (short of room) and the Nassau (suffered significant interference), before comfortably taking the Group 2 Prix de la Nonette at Deauville in August. This year’s Prix l’Opera looks a strong race, with Group 1 winners Legatissimo and Covert Love amongst the potential challengers, but there is further improvement to come from Jazzi Top based on her progressive profile, and given her pedigree she looks a most interesting British raider at Longchamp on Sunday.
Tony McFadden: Ballydoyle - Prix Marcel Boussac, Sunday
Ballydoyle may have been beaten by her stable companion Minding in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh last time, but that doesn’t diminish her standing as one of the best two-year-old fillies around, and she is expected to bounce back in the Prix Marcel Boussac, a race connections have won a couple of times in the past five runnings, including with Ballydoyle’s four-time Group 1-winning sister Misty For Me.
Ballydoyle is bred to be smart but her name alone was enough to ensure that expectations were high from the outset! Having shaped as if in need of the experience on debut, Ballydoyle narrowly failed to score in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot but quickly shed the maiden tag when beating a smart prospect in a good time at Newmarket. She then proceeded to put up one of the best performances from a two-year-old filly this season when comfortably beating future Group-race winners Minding and Turret Rocks in the Debutante Stakes and, whilst it was slightly surprising that she couldn’t confirm form with Minding, she wasn’t disgraced in the Moyglare, falling on her sword having arguably done a bit too much too soon.
The going at Longchamp is likely to be a shade quicker than at the Curragh, which will suit Ballydoyle, whilst the step up to a mile will certainly be in her favour, so she is expected to strengthen her grip on next year’s 1000 Guineas market.
