7f Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium) (Group 1) (2yo only) (New Course) (Turf)
Ebro River brings genuine top class juvenile Group 1 form to the table here having won the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes and finished third in the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes behind the highly rated Native Trail and Point Lonsdale. Ebro River got oustayed over the stiff 7f at The Curragh and the flatter track here should suit him more.
There is still a question mark over whether he really wants the 7f and with plenty of rain on the way, stamina will be important here. It’s interesting that Aiden O’Brien supplements the maiden Stone Age for this and I expect more to come from the Galileo colt although perhaps not at 7f.
But I’m going to side with ACCAKABA in the Alain and Gerard Wertheimer colours worn famously by Goldikova. Not many fillies win this contest, but it could be telling that Ferland enters here here as this daughter of Acclamation has looked very tough in winning her first four career starts.
Having won three on the bounce at La Test De Buche, the trainer putting any concerns to bed that she was only suited by that track when claiming a Group 2 at Deauville over 7f. That looks like decent form with second-placed Fleur D’iris claiming a Group 3 win thereafter and third-placed Oscula (both are entered in the Prix Marcel Boussac) having some strong form in Group races this season adding to that with a place in the Group 2 Rokfel Stakes at Newmarket recently.
This will be another step-up for Accakaba, but she has improved with every start thus far will handle very soft ground and looks value at 5/1.
1pt win Accakaba @5/1, 13:50 Longchamp, Sunday