I can’t help but think the five-year-old BLOND ME has been underestimated in Sunday’s Arc trial, the Prix Vermeille.
Raced over the Arc course and distance of 12 furlongs at Chantilly, this is a step into unknown territory for Andrew Balding’s mare.
Similar comments applied last time out when she was second to the mighty Winter in the Group One Nassau Stakes at Goodwood on heavy ground, as she was stepping up in class.
She performed brilliantly – a 1.5-length defeat to Winter and beating of Hydrangea is top-class form which was franked in yesterday’s Matron Stakes – and the way she stayed on to take second bodes well for this new trip.
She’s not got the most glamorous breeding or come from the highest profile yard and that might contribute to her generous 12/1 price.
The betting appears dominated by last year’s winner Left Hand and a filly in Journey who hasn’t fired at all this season.
I’m not sure last year’s renewal was as deep as this and both Left Hand and Journey have something to prove on this year’s evidence.
Blond Me however has only run twice and beat today’s opponent The Black Princess at York earlier this season the time before that excellent Nassau run.
Aged five it’d be easy to doubt she’s improving but the form book says otherwise and I fancy her to outrun those odds.
Bateel and the unexposed God Given rate as significant threats too.
0.5pt each-way Blond Me @12/1, 15:15 Chantilly, Sunday (1,2,3, 1/5 Betfred)
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