Chantilly

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features the return of Wootton Centurion. 12.17 Chantilly, Cond, 3yo, c/g, 8fT WOOTTON CENTURION (IRE) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is the first of two TDN Rising Stars, Presented by Hagyard to spring back into action on a fascinating card, with Victoria Head eyeing a potential Classic tilt for...

Thursday's Prix du Val Saint-Georges at Chantilly shaped like a mini Group race and it was Juddmonte's exciting Frankel filly Gilded Prize who emerged on top to become her sire's 46th TDN Rising Star, Presented by Hagyard. Back over the same course and 9 1/2-furlong distance of her winning start in November, the Francis Graffard-trained daughter of the Beverly D. and Flower Bowl Stakes-placed Grand Jete (Dansili) moved easily over the Polytrack taking a lead early. Asked to intensify approaching the final furlong by Colin Keane, the 6-5 favourite opened up...

Chantilly's two newcomers' events on Monday featured some likely types and in the colts' version it was Yeguada Centurion's well-connected Mr Lope Cen who had the bragging rights. Fighting off another son of Lope De Vega in Vegamix, the 27-10 favourite who is entered in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains and Prix du Jockey Club got his career off to the perfect start for the Henri Devin stable. "He won very well considering how timid early with horses on his outside," Devin said. "He will have learned a lot there...

As usual, the Wertheimers have an exciting Classic crop and the newcomer Harissa (Wootton Bassett) only added fuel to the fire at Chantilly on Monday. "I think a bit of her and so it's nice to see her confirm it," trainer Christophe Ferland said. "She could go for the Prix du Louvre [conditions race at ParisLongchamp Apr. 16] and then directly to the [May 10] Poule d'Essai des Pouliches." Lining up as the 7-5 favourite for the mile fillies' contest on the Polytrack, the daughter of the G3 Prix d'Arenberg...

Monday, Chantilly, France, post time: 15:05, PRIX RONDE DE NUIT-Listed, €50,300, 3yo, 5 1/2fT Field: Ulymine (Fr) (Penny's Picnic {Ire}), Aurorian Clouds (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}), Afjan (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}), Exclamation (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), Trinquette (Fr) (City Light {Fr}), Street Show (Fr) (Showcasing {GB}), Baker Blue (GB) (Ardad {Ire}), Kailani (Fr) (Goken {Fr}), Michael The Great (Fr) (Territories {Ire}), Inju (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}), Birdcall (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Kimi Rey (GB) (Kingman {GB}), Jeudixx (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}). TDN Analysis: Unravelling interweaving black-type form is the task here with...

Sunday, Chantilly, post time: 16:07, PRIX MONTENICA-Listed, €50,300, 3yo, 6 1/2f (AWT) Field: Shaatir (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Bourgoin (Fr) (Ardad {Ire}), Dandy Style (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), Mr Wonka (Fr) (Mehmas {Ire}), Kailani (Fr) (Goken {Fr}), Zuender (Ger) (Amaron {GB}), Rencontre Sportive (Fr) (Seabhac), My Calyx Cen (Ire) (Calyx {GB}), Break Dance (Fr) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), Showna (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}), Thora (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), No Tune (GB) (No Nay Never), Ananke (Fr) (Zelzal {Fr}). TDN Verdict: This sees the reintroduction of No Tune, who was unbeaten...

Tuesday's Prix de la Serpentine at Chantilly featured some choice pedigrees among the debutantes and it was the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and Prix de Diane entry The Last Dance (Iffraaj) who stole the show in scintillating fashion to become a TDN Rising Star, Presented by Hagyard. "We have the right to dream with a filly like her, we can think about the great races in the spring," co-owner and co-breeder Antoine Gilibert told Paris Turf. "Even her jockey was impressed with the style of her win and the more...

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Tuesday's Observations features a horse to follow at Chantilly. 3.05 Chantilly, Debutantes, 3yo, f, 9 1/2f (AWT) MAINE (FR) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) is the 12th foal out of the Wertheimers' G2 Prix de Royallieu winner and outstanding broodmare Balladeuse (Singspiel), who is responsible for the Prix Vermeille heroine...

The Wertheimers unveiled a smart prospect on Friday as Turbulente (Australia) scored in style on debut at Chantilly. Sent off at 5-1 for the 9 1/2-furlong contest on the Polytrack, the Christopher Head-trained relative of the Melbourne Cup-winning champion Americain (Dynaformer) shadowed the early leader before taking control two out en route to a comfortable two-length success from the experienced Persian Grace (Persian King). The winner, whose family also features the Prix Marcel Boussac runner-up Tasmania (Zoffany), holds an entry in the Prix de Diane. The Listed-winning dam's two-year-old colt is...

Francis Graffard unveiled another exciting prospect on Wednesday when Lord Clover (Siyouni) made light work of the mile maiden on Chantilly's Polytrack. Sent off the 3-5 favourite, the son of the Group 1-placed Lady Frankel (Frankel) did everything right following a tardy break to cruise by outclassed rivals a furlong out under Christophe Soumillon and on to a 6 1/2-length success from Magnus (Footstepsinthesand). The result was a landmark for Soumillon, with the Belgian recording a 4000th victory on the flat in France. The winner, who is engaged in the...

Francis Graffard targeted Thursday's debutantes event at Chantilly with two potentially smart fillies and it was The Aga Khan Studs representative Edaja (Siyouni) who enjoyed the stable bragging rights. Sent off the 12-5 favourite for the mile contest on Polytrack, the daughter of the Jockey Club Oaks Invitational winner and G2 Prix de Malleret and G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris runner-up Edisa (Kitten's Joy) was restrained early in mid-division by Clement Lecoeuvre. Reeling in stablemate Morgana Gold (Too Darn Hot) with 50 metres remaining, the homebred asserted to score by 1 1/2 lengths....

Observations on the European Racing Scene turns the spotlight on the best European races of the day, highlighting well-bred horses early in their careers, horses of note returning to action and young runners that achieved notable results in the sales ring. Thursday's Observations features a half-brother to multiple top-level winner Wuheida (Dubawi). 11.48 Chantilly, Debutantes, 3yo, c/g, 8f (AWT) LIBECCIO WIND (IRE) (Kingman {GB}) starts for Godolphin and Andre Fabre in this intriguing affair and is the latest progeny of the Fillies' Mile and Yellow Ribbon heroine Hibaayeb (Singspiel) whose...