1m2½f (1m2f110y) Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (Group 1) (3yo) (No Geldings) (Turf) (3yo)
A wide draw and softer conditions for the favourite Modern Games is a green light for a bet in the French Derby and I’m keen to give LASSAUT another go after tipping him in the French Guineas, where he broke slowly, was beaten a couple of lengths in fifth and found the strong pace a shock to the system. With more cut in the ground and a longer trip, it should suit him today with a more sensible gallop and he looks every inch a middle distance horse. I’ll go along with my first instinct after the Guineas which was to give him another go in the Derby. 9/1 with a fair draw in stall eight feels good so long as he gets away on terms. It’s very difficult to call the places in a race like this where the draw impacts the result so much, so I’m throwing two darts and backing the Rouget first string AL HAKEEM as well. He’s got a big reputation with a similar pedigree to Rouget’s Arc winner Sottsass, who won this in 2019, and his performance last time out really did look the real deal. He’s not ideally drawn in stall 11 but I’m taking the 11/2 on the basis I like all the Rouget runners in this race and their camp think this is the best of them. If he is a potential Arc horse then a wideish draw won’t be stopping him.
1pt win Al Hakeem @11/2, 15:00 Chantilly, Sunday
1pt win Lassaut @9/1, 15:00 Chantilly, Sunday