Caen Horse Racing Tips

Solid in both return runs, NOVATO BELLO (5) imposed at Reims last time racing right-handed and, from the 5 slot will be in with a realistic shout of repeating. To his wide outside, NOBLESSE (9) will take her chances after having won 2 of her last 3, including over 2450m here in March. NOTEBOOK (4) made the jump from winning a Laval Class F to a Vincennes Class D and makes his clockwise debut with Mathieu Mottier reining and a good hand to play. NO TIME DU DONJON (15) has pulled an unfavourable number but is confirmed racing right-handed and has already won with Eric Raffin.

A number of good future prospects here but arguably none more so than NOVA JENILOU (10) who has done everything asked of her to date. She beat a tenacious colt at Vincennes last time out, sports front pads for the first time, and can pull off the hat-trick. Mathieu Mottier will still want to be mindful of the reconfigured NIZZA ROCCA (13) who was a tenacious winner of the Gr.2 Prix Ali Hawas before losing her action in the Gr.2 Prix Hemine, and the good NYMPHE D'ELLE (12) who has been re-shod for her monte debut following a most encouraging re-entry run. NEW SUCCESS (11) has yet to excel since switching codes but in the absence of some of the better elements of his generation, can give this a good go.

In winning at Challans a fortnight ago, JAZZMAN (14) was registering his 3rd success in 4 starts with Eric Raffin reining and, despite a poor draw here, can nevertheless confirm. He will, however, come under pressure from the excellent JAVA FAST (8) who took no time returning to victorious ways. VINCI NICE (7) makes just his 2nd French appearance outside Vincennes where he recently put his form on show, and looks a player. JINA FOUTEAU (1) reassured at the same venue that day and has been re-shod for her Caen bow.

Highlight of the afternoon with a number in contention, although at a squeeze one may have to opt for either INO DU LUPIN (7) or IDAO DE TILLARD (15). The former was most impressive in the Gr.3 Prix du Bois de Vincennes before being pipped in the Gr.2 Prix Kerjacques, while Thierry Duvaldestin's reconfigured dual Amerique winner ran 3rd in the 2024 edition and most recently dominated the Gr.1 Prix de l'Atlantique. What separates them under these conditions seems little. It was INEXESS BLEU (12) who secured the Kerjacques but he may have to settle for a place this time. Runner-up in the 2023 renewal, HOKKAIDO JIEL (13) is unlikely to disappoint if focused. Mathieu Mottier's versatile star, KOBAYASHI (2), looks a possible spoiler.

A wonderful campaigner that lost his way for a period of time, INDIGO DU PORET (14) has returned to his best recently with 2 commanding victories, and the money will be on him to complete the hat-trick. IKURO JIEL (8), however, has looked a different horse since the turn of the year and is unlikely to go down without a fight. JABLO DU CHENE (1) has won 3 times over course and distance, made a fine comeback at Angers early last month, and is easy to like for a place in the frame. GARD (4) has shown himself to be useful in this branch of the business and returns to the code with a good hand to play.

As classy as they come, but with a temperament all of his own, it is consistently a case of all-or-nothing for GOLDEN GIO (6). He has won 3 of 4 French starts, including a brace of Gr.2s, has been reconfigured for the occasion, and can add to his tally if Matthieu Abrivard keeps him trotting. That being said, the similarly complicated, but re-shod, MAGIC MAN (3) is reunited with Eric Raffin who will be eager to make up for his recent Enghien misfortune. MAESTRO VRIE (8) is shod to preference following his Enghien re-entry and his dependability will only work in his favour. A multiple black-type winner, MAGIC NIGHT (10) should not be too hastily-judged for faulting at Enghien that day and despite having no clockwise references must still be taken seriously.

There's a Gr.1 Prix du President berth in it for the first 3 home and, given the depth of talent here, it looks a superb race in the making. The nod must nevertheless go to MHUM FLYNG (17) even though he was eliminated in both the Gr.2 Prix Louis le Bourg and Gr.2 Prix Rene Palyart. Christophe Clin will be counting on the change of scenery, as will Alexandre Abrivard who will have nothing but rehabilitation on his mind. Opposition looks set to be led by MOJITO FRAISE (10) who makes his first appearance since winning the Louis le Bourg, and the progressive MUNHOA VEDAQUAISE (13) whose trainer Philippe Allaire will be hoping to turn the tables on MISS DES BESACES (16) who had her measure in the Rene Palyart.

A terrific campaigner that goes as well right-handed as left-, FREEDOM (NOR) (7) has never failed to fire for his driver and, after prepping for this at Cholet, he will be barefoot for the occasion and will be expected to take all the beating. HERCULE DE LEAU (6) showed at Toulouse that he is clearly close to his best and Benjamin Rochard can be confident of a big performance. One of the more consistent horses here, JET EXPRESS (4) may not have been seen out since November but he excels at Caen and his candidacy is not to be taken lightly. HECTOR DE BASSIERE (14) put in quite the showing on his seasonal return and looks a serious proposition once more.

Very much at home racing right-handed, and at ease over these shorter trips, LETIKALIN (9) may not have pulled the best number but he thrives in his current configuration and in present form will be a tough nut to crack. LODESTAR (11) has no particular love for Caen, and was eliminated on re-entry, but he is hard to fault when focused and will be configured as he was when successful last autumn in a Vincennes Class D. The speedy LAUSSAC DU BUISSON (8) was well-backed only to be sanctioned in Paris recently, but sports modified shoeing, and is reunited with Eric Raffin who will be hopeful of putting things right. LIQUIDATEUR (7) is never far from faulting but he has bags of ability and seldom disappoints racing clockwise.