2019 French Guineas Preview
2.55 Longchamp, Poule d'Essai des Poulains
Persian King comes in to this race on the back of a very impressive seasonal debut 4 weeks ago over today’s course and distance. He was expected to go for the English equivalent but finds himself in this race which looks a much easier task. He finished last season with a neck victory over Magna Grecia over a mile at Newmarket; that horse went on to win this year’s two thousand guineas at Newmarket, making his level of form look exceptional. His only blemish in 5 races was his race debut when he finished second to Anodor, who re-opposes today. Persian King has clearly shown himself to be top class and it will be asking much of Anodor to confirm these placings, but at the prices he could be worth chancing against the favourite if odds-on chances are not your thing.
Recommended bet
Anodor,9/1Coral
3.30 Longchamp, Poule d'Essai des Pouliches
This year’s race is wide open and with many lightly raced types it could looks tricky. I’m tempted to give Rocques a chance at a big price, following a couple of poor efforts for which there were excuses. Rocques was undefeated in her first 3 races before finishing sixth of eight runners in the group one Criterium des Pouliches. She was sent off favourite for that race but was heavily interfered with several times and ended up being squeezed out when trying to quicken through a gap. She made her seasonal debut in the Prix de la Grotte over course and distance 4 weeks ago and pulled very hard for her head while she was restrained in rear. She ended up finishing 3.5 lengths behind Castle Lady in fifth, in a race where she was given a tender ride to the extreme; while the race unfolded she was left unhurried in last and not asked for an effort until the race was out of reach. She is clearly better than what she has shown in her last two races and in a season that has seen very little testing ground she is one that is sure to relish these conditions; she is capable of being involved in the finish if things fall her way.
Recommended bet
Roques, 20/1 eachway
