7f Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium) (Group 1) (2yo Colts & Fillies) (New Course) (Turf) (2yo)
It doesn’t look like the strongest renewal of this Group 1 and only one horse really has notable form on ground worse than soft, Pivotal Trigger. It is in intriguing that he has been entered into this race, but he looks like he has been bred for middle-distances next season.
The Irish have a reasonably strong hand with both The Antarctic and Shartash having strong Group 1 form this season primarily over 6f. Of the two, preference is for Shartash, but he wasn’t exactly hitting the line hard in the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes.
Instead a chance is taken on GAMESTOP showing improved form on the very soft ground conditions, noting his pedigree. The son of Lope De Vega made an eyecatching start on debut winning comfortably in a maiden, he has since missed the break and failed to settle on both of his next starts, but has done well to finish 3rd despite those signs of greeness.
Gamestop wears a first-time hood which should help sharpen him up and a draw in stall 1 could also prove advantageous. With several in the race unproven over this trip and this ground, I’m prepared to take a big price upset in the first.
1pt win Gamestop @14/1, 13:15 Longchamp, Sunday
Leave a comment