There’s a nice Listed race in France at Deauville today where the highly-rated Loxley represents this flat season’s star trainer Charlie Appleby and Godolphin.
Joining him is stablemate Zaman, who we’ve tipped the last two times he’s run, the most recent being just last week at Goodwood where he finished a good second to Communique off a big weight.
Loxley is a gelding and it seems his lack of man bits isn’t the only reason he’s not considered a horse for the St Leger next month, as connections felt he was simply outstayed last time out at Newmarket behind Wells Farhh Go.
I really liked that run and it’s interesting he’s dropped half a mile in trip, which I suspect is quite extreme.
Softer ground is also there to be proven and I think he’s worth taking on at skinny odds.
Zaman looks too short to be honest given he carried a penalty for winning at Meydan earlier this year, but another old favourite CONNECT might be worth a go at a general 10/1.
It’s officially soft at Deauville today and Connect’s best form comes with cut in the ground.
I remain convinced he’s a Group horse despite spending much of this season in handicaps or not figuring when stepped up in class, and the good news is his most recent run at Epsom was by far his best
He remains totally unexposed in this class over this ten furlong trip – he even contested the Greenham Stakes over seven furlongs at the start of the season – and trainer Clive Cox looks to have been patient with this horse while fast ground prevailed through the summer, so he should come into the race fresh.
He’s only 4lb off Loxley on the ratings and is weighted to beat Zaman, so I think he’s overpriced if enjoying the conditions the most.
1pt win Connect @10/1, 15:20 Deauville, Saturday
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