Prix Hocquart Betting Tips – Volkan Star Can Complete Hat-Trick at Deauville

Godolphin gelding brings strong form to table

Charlie Appleby saddled Al Hilalee to land the Prix Hocquart 12 months ago and Volkan Star has leading form claims of taking the Deauville Group 2 for three-year-olds over an extended 1m 4f for the same connections on Saturday (15:25).

The Godolphin gelding has won his last two starts including a previous trip across the Channel and brings strong form into the race. After scoring on the second of his three juvenile starts by six lengths, he always had potential.

Volkan Star chased home Mishriff on reappearance in a Listed contest at Newmarket. The winner has since landed the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, so the form is good.

Although no match for Mishirff, Volkan Star stayed on into second in the final strides which suggested he would appreciate a step up in trip.

He was only beaten four lengths and subsequent Group 3 scorer Al Aasy finished down the field in fifth. When next in action in another Listed affair at headquarters, Volkan Star held Thunderous by 1 3/4 lengths.

The runner-up came out and landed the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York, which advertises the form nicely. Volkan Star then followed-up in on the upgrade and his first French start.

That came last month in the Group 3 Prix du Lys at Longchamp when upped in trip to 1m 4f. The son of Sea The Stars was always holding the re-opposing Ketil by three-quarters of a length after making all.

On that display, and given the clear progress he has made this season, Volkan Star is well worth a crack at this level. Appleby is on a 30 per cent strike rate in the last 14 days at the time of writing, so he appeals most.

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Port Guillaume looks the main danger

Prix du Jockey Club fifth Port Guillaume represents trainer Jean-Claude Rouget who has saddled six previous winners of the Prix Hocquart. On that basis, he is feared most.

This Le Harve colt was unbeaten in three starts going into France’s premier Classic. Although they were in minor events, Port Guillaume proved his stamina with a victory over 1m 3f at Cagnes-Sur-Mer.

Following a spring break he completed his hat-trick in a conditions contest at Saint-Cloud. It is the way in which he stayed on after being held-up at Chantilly last time out which suggests Port Gillaume will prove effective over further.

Although he came under a ride two out, when switched back towards the outside he stayed on well in the final furlong. Port Guillaume was nearest at the finish and only 3 3/4 lengths behind Mishriff.

On a form line through the winner, then, there isn’t much between them him and Volkan Star. The Prix Hocquart is an ease in grade Port Guillaume too.

With Cristian Demuro once again aboard and in decent form like the Rouget stable, he looks an obvious danger to Volkan Star now going back up in trip.

Unbeaten Tuscan Gaze also has Prix Hocquart claims

Former John Gosden inmate Tuscan Gaze won the Italian Derby on debut for new trainer Luciano Bietolini last time out. A repeat of that should see him go well here.

This Galileo colt has won all three career starts. After scoring in novice events at Newmarket over 7f as a juvenile and 1m 2f at Newbury on reappearnce, he was bought and sent to Italy.

If anything, Tuscan Gaze got to the front too soon at Capannelle. He led approaching two out and just held on by a nose for a remarkable victory.

The way he made the huge step up in grade to Group 2 level is impressive. This renewal of the Prix Hocquart demands more from Tuscan Gaze, but an extra furlong is within him given his stamina laden pedigree.

Connections clearly mean business as Pierre-Charles Boudot now takes the ride for the first time. Tuscan Gaze could have more to offer, then.

He completes the Prix Hocquart shortlist, ahead of fellow unbeaten colt Dick Whittington, Prix du Jockey Club disappointment Pao Alto and the aforementioned Ketil. They all have something to prove.