French Racing Tips: Beauty appeals in Voyage's absence

Regulars will know that I tend to tip Group 1 winners in Group 1 races. That's often the case but not always.

I had already backed Prosperous Voyage, whose only win came in an Epsom maiden, before writing this, but early yesterday afternoon the 1,000 Guineas runner-up had to be withdrawn due to travel disruptions at Dover.

Wild Beauty's day trip to Paris can pay off

I had to re-engage with the St Mark's Basilica Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary for three-year-old fillies at 14:45 which has just the one Group 1 winner in its line-up.

That is William Buick's mount Wild Beauty, who romped home in the Natalma Stakes in Toronto last autumn.

The runner-up, Pizza Bianca, went on to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' Turf in which Cachet was fourth.

Next time out, in the Fillies' Mile at Newmarket, the Godolphin filly failed to live up to expectations and was fifth behind Inspiral, Prosperous Voyage, and Cachet.

She again finished behind Cachet and Prosperous Voyage in the 1,000 Guineas.

The case for Prosperous Voyage was a persuasive one, but with her out I reckon Wild Beauty's class will tell.

The overnight favourite is Above The Curve 2.6313/8, second to Thoughts Of June at Chester in an Oaks trial. That is very much Listed form, though, and she is worth opposing.

Place Du Carrousel's success in the Group 3 Prix Cleopatre at Saint-Cloud makes her the best of the home team. She is 4.03/1 in the Sportsbook and I would prefer her to Above The Curve.

Queen Trezy 9.08/1 has been beaten around a length in the Group 3s she has contested this year and last.

Sippinsoda 9.08/1 saw off Blue Wings' challenge readily enough at Lyon Parilly but this is a big ask in comparison.

So it's Wild Beauty for me, with Place Du Carrousel the danger.

Sealiway fancied to turn tables on Pretty Tiger

Sealiway is the only Group 1 winner in the Prix d'Ispahan at 15:25, having won the Grand Criterium here at Longchamp as a two-year-old and the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot last autumn.

He hasn't started favourite in any of his last 11 races, but is likely to this weekend as many will fancy
him to see off Pretty Tiger's challenge.

Last time out in the Prix Ganay, Mickael Barzalona was focused on catching State Of Rest and that enabled Pretty Tiger to pip him on the line for second.

Ed Walker's Dreamloper comes into the race in top form. She was third to Saffron Beach and Mother Earth in the Group 1 Sun Chariot at Newmarket last autumn, and won the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket this month.

She is definitely in the mix with her 3lb mares' allowance, and only needs to improve 5-6lb to make Sealiway work for what should be his third Group 1 success.

Mirabad has solid credentials

That's it as far as English trainers are concerned but there are three other horses on the card worth a look.

With three of the four previous winners in the Prix De La Madeleine at 16:00 running poorly on their seasonal debuts - Ebba, Saving Grace and Lerma - it could pay to side with Babala.

Maxime Guyon's mount was an eye-catching third in a maiden on heavy at Deauville on her debut last October. A line through the fourth, Long Ridge Road, puts her ahead of the other previous winner, Celestine.

Mirabad should win the Prix De Nanterre at 17:15 without too much fuss.

The Aga Khan-owned three-year-old is the only one in the line-up rated 100+ and still has entries in the Prix du Jockey Club and Arc.

Close up behind Onesto, Agave and David Menuisier's Derby hope Sir Bob Parker in a Group 2 at Saint-Cloud, he is rated 7lb better than Percy Shelley with Jasperoid best of the rest.

Hallowed Time runs in the five-furlong sprint handicap at 17:45. The four-year-old is back with Eoghan O'Neill after two below-par runs on fast ground at Bath this spring while with Robert Cowell.

His form on ground softer than good reads 22222110, so he could run well at double-figure odds given good to soft.