Observations On Monday's European Racing Scene

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-pedigreed horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Monday's Insights features maiden races from Chantilly, France and Redcar, England.

1.10 Chantilly, Mdn, €30,000, unraced 3yo, c/g, 11fT
Pascal Bary trainee COMMENTARIOLUS (IRE) (Frankel (GB)">Frankel {GB}) is a son of Apsara (Fr) (Darshaan {GB}), herself a sibling of sires Johann Quatz (Fr) (Sadler's Wells) and Hernando (Fr) (Niniski), and is kin to three stakes performers, including 2007 G2 Beresford S. victor Curtain Call (Fr) (Sadler's Wells). Opposition to the Niarchos Family homebred in this firsters' heat include €110,000 Arqana August purchase Pour Vous (Ire) (Pour Moi {Ire}), who is out of a half-sister to MG1SW sire Hurricane Run (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), representing the Andre Fabre-Coolmore axis; and Tres Rush (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), who is kin to MGSW G1 Prix du Cadran runner-up Tres Rock Danon (Fr) (Rock of Gibraltar {Ire}) and MG1SW G1 Deutsches Derby second Tres Blue (Ire) (Anabaa Blue {GB}), from the Freddy Head stable.

3.10 Redcar, Mdn, £5,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 7fT
Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's UAE QUEEN (GB) (Oasis Dream (GB)">Oasis Dream {GB}), a 450,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase, is out of the stakes-winning 2004 G1 Yorkshire Oaks runner-up Pongee (GB) (Barathea {Ire}) and faces one dozen rivals in this debut. The Roger Varian trainee is a half-sister to two black-type performers headed by Pinzolo (GB) (Monsun {Ger}), who annexed the 2014 Listed Fairway S. and hit the board in this term's G2 Jockey Club S. and G3 Winter Derby.

3.25 Chantilly, Debutantes, €30,000, 3yo, f, 11fT
CERCLE DE LA VIE (IRE) (Galileo {Ire}) debuts in the increasingly-prevalent Markus Jooste colours for the Andre Fabre stable and is a full-sister to last year's G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. and GI Breeders' Cup Turf hero Highland Reel (Ire) and the G2 Great Voltigeur S. winner Idaho (Ire) who was so unlucky when unseating in the G1 St Leger. Lining up against her is Baiyouna (Fr) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), an Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained half-sister to the GI Secretariat S. scorer Bayrir (Fr) (Medicean {GB}).