Showcasing's Dice Roll Slams Djebel Rivals

All eyes were on the unbeaten Sacred Life (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr} in Monday's G3 Prix Djebel at Deauville, but it was the 10-1 shot Dice Roll (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}) who dominated in the testing conditions to supply owner Giacomo Algranti and trainer Fabrice Chappet with a live dream of Classic glory in 2018. Always close to the pace racing up the centre, the chestnut who signed off his juvenile campaign with success in the Criterium de la Vente d'Octobre d'Arqana over a mile at Chantilly in September was left in front with 2 1/2 furlongs remaining. Drawing away under Cristian Demuro, he hit the line with five lengths to spare over Magic Bibou (Fr) (Panis), with the 13-5 favourite Sacred Life only plugging on into fourth as the field finished spread out.
Successful on debut from this race's protagonist Drummore (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) over six furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte in July, Dice Roll was a well-beaten fourth in the Listed Prix Francois Boutin upped a furlong here the following month before regaining the winning thread over 7 1/2 furlongs back at Maisons-Laffitte in early September. Not tested again in black-type company despite his success in the valuable sales race at Chantilly late that month, he demonstrated that he had thrived over the winter and also his ability to handle this sapping surface which killed off so many as he ploughed through with relish. “He had a nice campaign as a 2-year-old, with some easy races which enabled him to strengthen,” Chappet explained. “He had never faced such a group of horses before, so the performance was excellent. He loves this ground and likes to set the pace–he can really destroy a field with that pace. The program dictates that we go to ParisLongchamp for the [May 13 G1 Poule d'Essai des] Poulains now, but we will see how he comes out of this and enjoy the moment.”
A triumph for buyer Amanda Skiffington, who saw his potential at the Arqana October Sale, Dice Roll descends from the G3 Prix des Reservoirs winner and G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up Boreale (Fr) (Bellypha {Ire}). Her unraced daughter Dibenoise (Fr) (Kendor {Fr}) went on to produce the MGSW sire Racinger (Fr) (Spectrum {Ire}), as well as the duo of group 1-winning sons of Montjeu (Ire) in Corre Caminos (Fr) and Recital (Fr). The dam, whose pedigree also features the champion 2-year-old filly Princesse Lida (Nijinsky II), has a yearling filly by Elusive City.

Monday, Deauville, France
PRIX DJEBEL-G3, €80,000, DVL, 4-9, 3yo, c/g, 7fT, 1:28.67, vhy.
1–DICE ROLL (FR), 128, c, 3, by Showcasing (GB)
1st Dam: Schlague (Fr), by Pulpit
2nd Dam: Si Je N'Avais Plus (Ire), by Kaldoun (Fr)
3rd Dam: Boreale (Fr), by Bellypha (Ire)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (€130,000 Ylg '16 AROCT). O-Giacomo Algranti; B-Gestut Zur Kuste AG (FR); T-Fabrice Chappet; J-Cristian Demuro. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-0, €217,180. Werk Nick Rating: D+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Magic Bibou (Fr), 128, c, 3, Panis–Hidden Magic (Fr), by Bering (GB). O-Gemini Stud, Mlle Sandra de Montzey & Bruno de Montzey; B-Sebastien Joucla, Stephane Joucla, Romuald Joucla & Eric Dupont (FR); T-Bruno de Montzey. €16,000.
3–Batwan (Fr), 128, c, 3, Kendargent (Fr)–Matwan (Fr), by Indian Rocket (GB). O-Guy Pariente; B-Guy Pariente Holding (FR); T-Philippe Sogorb. €12,000.
Margins: 5, 1 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 10.00, 10.00, 10.00.
Also Ran: Sacred Life (Fr), Louis d'Or (Ire), A Quiet Man (Ire), Infernal Majesty (Fr), Leonio (Fr), Cardsharp (GB), Drummore (Ire), Woodmax (Ger), Epic Adventure (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.