Laurent Barbarin

Published 9.15am 14/10 - all selections online

Nantes and Saint-Cloud take centre stage this Wednesday in France, with a Listed race at the former venue and a pair of competitive conditions races at the latter.

NANTES

Race 2 at 10:30am is a conditions hurdle for four-year-olds over 2m 1½f, with a field of 14 runners. A promising third of 18 on his hurdles debut at Compiègne back in April, SPLENDIOSE ran with credit on his comeback at Le Lion-d’Angers on 4 September, following a four-and-a-half-month summer break.

The form of his Compiègne debut has worked out well. The horse who finished fourth that day has since won a provincial hurdle race, while the runner-up, who finished a couple of lengths ahead of Splendiose, subsequently produced a very good third in a €98,000 handicap hurdle at Auteuil.

Following an unsuccessful attempt at Auteuil just 19 days after his excellent debut at the highly selective Compiègne track, the four-year-old enjoyed the traditional summer break. His return to action at Le Lion-d’Angers in early September was encouraging, particularly as he had to carry top weight. The conditions should suit him better on Wednesday, while the switch to a bigger track like Nantes could also play to his strengths.

Thomas Beaurain retains the ride, and provided he enjoys a trouble-free passage, Splendiose looks capable of coming out on top.

SAINT-CLOUD

Race 1 at 10:48am will be of particular interest, as Tuesday’s Gone returns to the track following her impressive winning debut at Saint-Cloud on 31 August.

She outclassed Al Hamaad that day, who has since bolted up in the Group 2 Critérium de Maisons-Laffitte. She is certainly one to watch closely, as she could be a filly with a very bright future.

Race 2 at 11:23am is a Grade 2 bumper for AQPS fillies, in which Louisa Banbou stands out.She most recently won the “Arc” of the AQPS horses at ParisLongchamp on 10 September, well ahead of four of today's rivals. If she reproduces that level of form, her opponents will have a tough task on their hands.

My second selection of the day, however, comes in race 3 at 11:55am, a fascinating Class 2 contest for three-year-olds over an extended mile and a half. With Seneque stepping up in trip and Van Blutch likely to set the pace, the six-runner contest should be run at a good tempo. I’m particularly drawn to LAMELOISE, a daughter of Almanzor who opened her account at Dieppe on 9 July, at just her second start.

She had shown promise when making her debut at the same track in early June but took a significant step forward a month later, winning a ten-runner maiden over a mile and a half. Held up at the back for most of the race, she quickened impressively in the home stretch to score by three and a half lengths, showcasing a very promising turn of foot. She also beat three subsequent winners, further strengthening the form and suggesting that her victory was no fluke.

Trainer Yann Barberot endured a relatively quiet spell over the summer, but his horses have started to hit form again, with nine winners in the past five weeks. Alexis Pouchin, who partnered the filly on her debut, is back in the saddle, and hopefully Lameloise can take another step forward following a useful comeback run.

My next column will be on Saturday 17 October, for Graded action from Auteuil, with the meeting broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing.