Expert Analysis

A rather weak Lagardere, especially with the form choice running poorly and the home team useful rather than better, and the winner has been rated slightly below the race standards. The early pace was not all that strong (slowest splits until 400m out of four races at the trip on the card), but increased markedly at halfway and it ultimately proved a pretty good test (race finishing speed of 99.7% once the fact that this is over about 40m short of the advertised distance is taken into account). The runners stuck quite close to the far rail in the home straight.  

ANGEL BLEU (110 here, 105 previously) has been underestimated along the way, as he has improved from a fairly ordinary start, and almost certainly improved again to take this important prize, held up in mid-field and rousted along soon after halfway on the inner, responding generously to lead with 100m to go, scoring readily enough in the end. This is a short 7f, but the way he races suggests he will get a mile in time.

NOBLE TRUTH (108 here, 106 previously) seems to be learning all the time, this probably a small further advance on his Doncaster form, soon leading, quickening at halfway and getting his rivals in trouble for a bit before run down by the winner with 100m to go. Despite going a shade freely, he seems likely to stay 8f.  

ANCIENT ROME (106+ here, 96 previously) remains with potential, one of the best of an underwhelming crop of French 2yo colts as it is, held up in rear and still going well before finally asked with 400m to go, running on strongly (easily fastest final section of 12.37s) but never nearer. This was better form than he had shown in three wins out of four runs previously, and a return to 8f should suit him. 

ACCAKABA (102+ here, 103 previously) more or less matched the form of her defeat of Fleur d’Iris and Oscula in a Group 2 the time before, while shaping as if there may still be more to come, set a bit to do and running on for pressure without getting in a blow. She is speedily bred and may not stay much further.

THE WIZARD OF EYE (101 here, 97 previously) had shown useful form in Group 3s in France since last seen in Britain and ran a bit better still here, sticking to his task having been one of the first under pressure in mid-field. He will stay 8f.

STONE AGE (96 here, 104 previously) shaped as if a short 7f was inadequate, tapped for toe after halfway before staying on again late.

ROCCHIGIANI (93 here, ? previously)

EBRO RIVER (90 here, 113 previously) might have gone to the well once too often, leading briefly early and going second again after halfway, only to weaken soon after. The form of the National Stakes (in which he was third to Native Trail) has not exactly worked out well at this early stage, but there is no way Ebro River is as modest as suggested by this.

ARNIS MASTER (85 here, ? previously)