5f Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines (Group 1) (2yo+) (Sprint Course) (Turf) (2yo+)
Do not ignore the draw here. Those drawn in double figure stalls have a huge disadvantage with only the likes of Highfield Princess, Marsha and Mabs Cross defying a wide berth in the last decade. I can’t imagine there is anything anywhere near as good in this field so single digit stalls is where I am focusing and you can practically discount the rest.
Clearly Asfoora has the best credentials in here, but she found slow ground an issue at The Curragh last time and has only sparkled one this season. I like Frost Of Dawn but again I think the ground is an issue and if JM Jungle had been drawn lower than he would have been a likely type. Drawn in stall 1, MONTEILLE could have great track position here with two pace-makers drawn alongside him, he has improved significantly this season running well on his penultimate start in the King Charles II Group 1 on fast ground at Ascot. He saw off Rayevka over course and distance last time and may get the run of the race.
Whilst not totally ideal being drawn in stall 10, it is still possible to win from there in a field of 19 and I will take a chance on two-year-old AFJAN. He edged out Havana Anna who went on to finish second to True Love in a Group 1 last month and Afjan has looked progressive. In receipt of a stone from his rivals, he relishes this ground and looks overpriced at 10/1 as his form would put him towards the top juvenile sprinters this year. Clearly he lacks the experience of some of these but that is factored into his price as well.
1pt win Monteille @7/1, 1pt win Afjan @10/1, 13:50 Longchamp, Sunday
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