14:25 Longchamp
Stradivarius is a real racing superstar. A winner of 19 of his 28 races including seven Group Ones, is he still at his peak? Probably not but he still sets the standard here. What does reduce his chances is the forecast soft ground, although he has won a couple of weak group races on soft, he has shown a tendency to run well below his best on it. He is my favourite horse in training but is passed over here.
Trueshan on the other hand absolutely loves soft ground. Winner of the Group One Goodwood cup when market rival Stradivarius was withdrawn due to the soft ground. He has a tremendous record on these conditions or worse and his form this year has shown him to be top class. He should also benefit from a nice break since winning at Goodwood in July.
Princess Zoe won this race on heavy ground last year, she’s a tough mare and ran a good race last time when second in the Group Two Irish St Leger Trial. She may need some more rain to repeat the win this time around in what looks a much hotter race,
Skazino may prove best of the home runners. His form has stepped up since trying staying trips by winning a Group Three and two Group Two’s. He needs to improve on what he has achieved but the further step up in trip could provide that.
Stradivarius is the best horse in the race and if at his best he wins readily however Trueshan has shown some top-class form on soft ground and can land his second Group One in a row. Skazino is improving and can grab a place for the home team.
TRUESHAN (WIN)
SKAVINO (E/W)
written by Steve Marriott
16:00 Longchamp
The Qatar Prix Dollar is a Group 2 race over 10 furlongs where 10 head to post. The ground is currently Soft.
Dubai Honour has had a very impressive season winning twice in three races. He won last time out in Deauville impressively and if he were to repeat that performance here, he would take all the beating.
Given the ground conditions, Patrick Sarsfield has a good chance at odds of 10/1 at the time of writing. 2nd in this race last year, could he do one better here?
PATRICK SARSFIELD (E/W)
written by Charlie Sharp
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