Laurent Barbarin

Published 16:00 15/07 - all selections online

Compiègne stages an eight-race flat card this Thursday, headlined by the Listed Prix Pelleas (5.23), a mile-and-a-quarter contest for three-year-olds.

The feature has attracted a field of just six runners. Ed Bethell sends Haayimm to contest the €50,000 prize, but the son of Gleneagles faces a stiff challenge against five French-trained rivals, headed by PROOF.

The Wertheimer brothers' colt returns from a break of almost nine months but is sure to have been carefully prepared by Christopher Head, whose runners are rarely sent to the races unless fully ready. The impeccably-bred son of Dubawi has the unusual distinction of remaining a maiden after four starts at two.

However, he finished in the first three on each of those four outings, including two appearances at Group level. He was notably third in the Group 3 Prix de Condé at Saint-Cloud on 3 October, finishing comfortably ahead of Gentlemanlike, who opposes him again here. Three weeks later, he produced a career-best performance when again finishing third, this time in the Group 1 Critérium de Saint-Cloud over this mile-and-a-quarter trip. Beaten only a neck by A Boy Named Susie, he sets the standard on form and looks the one to beat.

Already entered in the Group 3 Prix de Reux at Deauville on 8 August over an extended mile and a half, Proof appears to be a colt with significant potential, providing he remains sound. Pierre-Charles Boudot takes over in the saddle from the suspended Maxime Guyon, who is serving a three-day ban.

The last race of the day  - the Prix Du Chateau De Pierrefonds Handicap (7.15) - is a valuable 51,000 Euros contest over 7f for fillies and mares aged four and upwards. 

Trainer Nicolas Caullery is strongly represented with six of the 16 runners. Ridden by Christophe Soumillon, who was also aboard when she scored over this course and distance on 25 April, THE SHADOW looks the standout from the Caullery team.

A three-time winner from 12 starts, the four-year-old filly landed two victories last season and has returned in excellent order after a three-and-a-half-month winter break. She produced two encouraging performances before her Compiègne handicap success in April and has since finished runner-up in two Quinté handicaps off her revised mark, confirming that she remains highly competitive at this level.

She had the misfortune to come up against more experienced rivals on both occasions but emerged with plenty of credit. A straightforward and versatile ride, she can be held up or raced prominently, giving Christophe Soumillon plenty of tactical options. Although she has been handed stall 14, her draw is less of a concern with a pilot like Soumillon in the saddle.

With proven course-and-distance form, an attractive handicap mark and the benefit of a stable and jockey both enjoying excellent form, The Shadow rates a leading contender. While this remains an open contest, she has all the credentials to go very close.

My next column will be on Sunday 19 July for Group action from Chantilly, a meeting shown live on Sky Sports Racing.