7f Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (Grand Criterium) (Group 1) (2yo Colts & Fillies) (New Course) (Turf) (2yo)
It was pretty clear that ROSALLION didn’t handle the soft ground when well beaten at Doncaster, but the form of his Pat Eddery Stakes win at Ascot has been handsomely franked since and he has to be a Group One horse on that evidence. He looked a potential star that day and thumped Al Musmak, Alyanaabi and Dancing Gemini who have all gone on to win since. You have to be in a forgiving mood but he’s an easy to back 8/1 shot and will love the forecast fast ground – whereas the French home team might want it softer. I’m going to side with two in the race and the second is far more speculative. Andre Fabre’s EVADE has stalls problems and a terrible habit of giving away ground at the start of races but still got to within a length of the short priced favourite Beauvatier last time out. At a glance his form figures of 142 underwhelm but there’s lots of ability there and his pedigree is perfect for this race. His sire Wootton Bassett won it himself and his dam produced the 2016 winner National Defense. A strong gallop appears guaranteed as Coolmore have a potential pacemaker and if he can break on terms he will outrun his odds.
1pt win Rosallion @8/1, 13:15 Longchamp, Sunday
1pt win Evade @20/1, 13:15 Longchamp, Sunday