Longchamp Placepot: Sunday October 2

Daily Placepots / Dan Barber / 02 October 2011 / Leave a Comment

Seven Group 1's make up today's card at Longchamp.

"Now is the time for Dream Ahead to prove conclusively he isn't merely a sprinter, but his flop in the Prix Maurice de Gheest is still in the mind and the banker vote instead has to go the way of Goldikova."

Europe's premier Flat day provides a rare opportunity for a Placepot not based in Britain or Ireland, and it's one Dan Barber can't turn down given the likely prize on offer.

12:10 - It's unlikely there'll be much of a gallop in this, given both the race's history and the absence of obvious pace, though Gentoo managed to overcome a similarly tactical affair in winning last year's renewal and he can confirm form with Kasbah Bliss, a Cadran standing dish who has claims of hitting the places again himself.

12:45 - Two factors tend to count above all others in the Abbaye, namely a lowish draw and early speed, as big-priced successes for Total Gallery and Gilt Edge Girl the last two years testify. Such simplicity has to be the approach this time around, too, leaving Margot Did, Sole Power and Captain Dunne as the trio to get us through.

13:20 - Elusive Kate has already proven her mettle on French soil and the step up to a mile can only help. Yellow Rosebud gets the second vote, courtesy of her fine splitting of Maybe and Lightening Pearl in a Group 2 at the Curragh when last seen in August, an effort that suggested she'd stay this trip despite her speedy pedigree.

13:55 - Few, if any, juveniles have impressed so much this year as Dabirsim, who has sound claims of taking his unbeaten record to five on the back of his convincing Prix Morny success (when Sofast was back in fourth). He's sure to stay this longer distance, plus the likes of Salure, Fort Bastion and American Devil are likely to ensure the gallop is a true one.

14:30 - Now is the time for Dream Ahead to prove conclusively he isn't merely a sprinter, but his flop in the Prix Maurice de Gheest is still in the mind and the banker vote instead has to go the way of Goldikova, a truly outstanding mare who must go close in her bid not only for back-to-back wins in the race, but also for a fifteenth top-level success.

15:15 - An 'Arc' to savour, even without the likes of Nathanial and Pour Moi. So You Think has been the subject of much stamina-related chat, but quite why a Melbourne Cup third (over two miles) wouldn't get home is hard to fathom and he's bound to give a good account of himself. The latter comment also very much applies to Sarafina, who has enjoyed an ideal prep in her bid to atone for her rather luckless passage behind Workforce in 2010.

Selections

12:10 - 4, 7
12:45 - 6, 8, 14
13:20 - 3, 5
13:55 - 5
14:30 - 8
15:15 - 6, 7
24 lines

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