Jamie Clark was Sports Editor of Coral bookmakers between 2014 and 2017 during their merger with Labrokes and a key period for the British betting industry. Working as a bookie’s runner on the point to point circuit in the Midlands and at Market Rasen Racecourse where his late godfather had a trackside pitch growing up, he has had ties to horse racing all of his life. A regular visitor to Cheltenham during the National Hunt season and York over the summer, he has been involved in Horsebetting.com since its inception. Jamie now brings you his take on major news stories from the racing world and those all-important betting tips.
Through Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud betting tips for the 1m 4f feature contest this Sunday (14:50), you can see who to back in France. This is the biggest race of the season at Saint-Cloud, so our expert shortlist takes that into account. Who do Horsebetting.com experts go for?
Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud betting tips – In Swoop can complete hat-trick
This race is a top trial for older horses heading toward the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. On that basis, it’s hard to look past the runner-up in Europe’s richest Flat race from last season, IN SWOOP. Trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, the four-year-old won the German Derby last season in ready style.
A colt by Adlerflug, In Swoop later finished runner-up in the delayed Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp. That is a Classic in all but name. He also filled the same spot in the Arc when held just a neck by Sottsass and nearest at the finish. It was a great effort in one of the famous races on Planet Earth.
In Swoop then shaped as if needing the run on his reappearance when second again in a Listed contest at Longchamp. He has since reversed the form with Sublimis on two occasions. On the first of those in a Group 3 at the same venue, In Swoop found plenty for pressure when hitting the front a furlong-and-a-half from home.
He has followed-up in the Group 2 Grand Prix de Chantilly when asserting in the last 100 yards. In Swoop won a shade cosily and was value for more than the winning margin of half-a-length. That makes him well worth another crack at the highest level. At odds of 6/4 with Betfred, In Swoop looks a worthy favourite for Group 1 glory and a hat-trick under Olivier Peslier.
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Ebaiyra the biggest danger
Now stepping back up in trip, EBAIYRA rates a real danger to the market leader. Trained by Alain De Royer-Dupre for the Aga Khan, this four-year-old filly also comes into the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud off the back of consecutive wins. The daughter of Distorted Humour won group races over this trip last season.
She was far from disgraced down in distance in the Prix de Diane when sixth to Fancy Blue either. Ebaiyra simply couldn’t go the pace to threaten at that trip. However, she was a fine third in the Group 1 Prix de Royallieu behind Wonderful Tonight and previous Doncaster scorer Pista when up to 1m 6f.
As the winner has since advertised that form with victory at Royal Ascot in the Hardwicke Stakes, Ebaiyra commands respect. She is also a course winner at this venue on her last start. After taking a Longchamp Group 3 just like In Swoop, Ebaiyra ran on well past Raabihah to score by a neck.
There was also lots to like about the way she followed-up in the Prix Corrida here last time out. Ebaiyra confirmed placings with those in-behind her at Longchamp. The Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud demands more, but she’s a filly in form and shouldn’t be written off. Ebaiyra is a 9/2 chance with William Hill to complete a hat-trick of her own.
Baron Samedi worth considering each-way
Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien sends globetrotter BARON SAMEDI over to France in search of another valuable prize here. This four-year-old Harbour Watch gelding has won seven races in a row, making remarkable progress from handicapper to pattern performer. Baron Samedi finished last season off with a Group 2 win over this distance at Longchamp. That came on heavy ground.
He has since proven his versatility by landing the 1m 6f Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan on his reappearance. Baron Samedi was an unfancied 20/1 that day but showed real stamina to land the spoils. As he has since followed-up in a transatlantic raid at Belmont Park, this thriving horse cannot be discounted.
Even though shaping as a stayer on recent outings, the drop back in distance from 2m to 1m 4f may not be as much of a disadvantage as it appears. The trip may take plenty of getting on soft ground, especially if there is a strong pace on. All the market principals may stay further too.
Connections of Baron Samedi, named after the henchman in James Bond film Live and Let Die, mean business as Mickael Barzalona again takes the ride. He partnered this horse to victory on his last French start. Taking all that into account, Baron Samedi could be well worth backing each-way at 11/1 with Unibet in an absorbing renewal of the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud here.
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