Plenty points to Tropbeau taking French 1000 Guineas trial
Three-year-old fillies put their Classic credentials on the line the 1m Group 3 Prix de la Grotte at Longchamp on Monday (12:25), and Tropbeau has leading form claims.
Trained by Andre Fabre, who has saddled a joint-record seven winners of this, the daughter of Showcasing won three times as a juvenile.
Tropbeau had a tender introduction to racing last season when a not knocked about sixth over an inadequate extended 5f. She made some late progress in that Maisons-Laffitte maiden under a hands and heels ride.
That left the impression she wanted further. Tropbeau then made all when stepped up in trip and scored by 6 1/2 lengths at Clairefontaine.
She was pitched in Group 3 company at Deauville on the back of that and followed-up. Although Tropbeau only won by 2 1/2 lengths, she was well on top at the finish after staying on strongly.
Lady Bamford’s filly was sent off a hot favourite with the bookies for the Group 2 Prix du Calvados on the straight course at Deauville. Again, she delivered – asserting in the final furlong and completing her hat-trick by a similar margin.
Connections went down in distance for a crack at the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket. Tropbeau had no luck in-running whatsoever, however, and finished third.
Denied a clear run approaching the furlong marker, she started to stay on. As Tropbeau became hampered close home, her performance behind Millisle should be upgraded.
The Prix de la Grotte is a big ease in grade from that British raid over 6f. Going back up in distance looks sure to suit Tropbeau, based on how she shaped last term.
Khayzaraan the main danger
Freddy Head won the race as a jockey, but seeks a first victory in it as a trainer with Kkayzaraan.
This unexposed Kingman filly is two from two over a mile, but kept to minor events last season. Khayzaraan bounded cleared of the field in a Deauville maiden and scored by nine lengths back in August.
She has since followed-up in a conditions contest at Chantilly after making all. While a Classic trial like the Prix de la Grotte demands more, Khayzaraan won both those outings impressively.
Hamdam Al Maktoum’s filly looks well worth a crack at this level. It would be no surprise to see her give Tropbeau plenty to think about.
The potential Khayzaraan has looks obvious. Granted further progress, expect her to make a bold bid for victory in the hands of Aurelien Lemaitre.
It’s why Khayzaraan challenges Tropbeau for favouritism in what looks like a two-filly race on paper.
Dream And Do has solid each-way claims in Prix de la Grotte
Dream And Do is another distance winner, so looks solid each-way bet. Trained by Frederic Rossi, this daughter of Siyouni chased home subsequent Group 3 winner Savarin on debut at Deauville.
After breaking her maiden tag at Marseille, Dream And Do returned to Deauville and landed a conditions contest. She then took the step up into Group 3 company in her stride at the same venue.
Dream And Do always did enough and held previous Listed winner Les Hogues by a neck. She is versatile as regards ground after winning on good-to-firm and heavy.
Although Dream And Do is third best behind the market principals, she could have more to offer over a mile.
With double figure prices for the rest of the field, it’s hard to see anything else hitting the frame on all known form.
Of those at bigger odds, Quiet Times won a Listed race at Chantilly on reappearance. She has race fitness on her side, but the Prix de la Grotte is more competitive.