Re: Even more betting here : Sat Jun 05, 2010 8:29 pm
Yeah he was - there's always a doubt over the trip but again I think they've over-reacted to the strength of the British/Irish horses, if we were really 6-7lbs better than our continental cousins then I'd be all over the likes of Cape Blanco but Workforce obviously improved from the Dante and was a different horse today as Stoute left a fair bit to work on.3/1 about a horse in a 23 runner Group 1 is a nonsense price and I'll go through the other leading contenders and why I've ruled them out:
Planteur - I've been all over this horse for this race since last winter when I was impressed by a run over 9f, he has a top jockey on board in Anthony Crastus and has beaten the Epsom third Rewilding already this season. Just not that keen on taking 5/1 about a horse in a 23 runner race.
Ice Blue - Won both his trials as a 3yo most notably over 10f at Saint-Cloud last time out, was previously a scorer over 11f and gives the impression that he might be more of a Grand Prix De Paris horse than a Derby horse.
Behkabad - Been the buzzhorse for this since last Autumn and is a well bred sort for Frances top numbers trainer with IMO the best jockey in the world booked to ride. Had the run of the race last time out when able to slow it up and then kick on off the final turn and I have a feeling he might find one or two too good.
Simon De Montfort - Shown improved form as a 3yo for Andre Fabre prior to being switched to the Newmarket stable of Mahmood Al Zarooni. There was a chance Godolphin could have had Maxime Guyon on Mickael Barzalona riding in the big race, they have Ahmed Ajtebi instead. That should be enough to stop him from winning.
Sorry for not answering your query on Flo Jo earlier Wire_85 - I won't be backing her tomorrow unless she's a ridiculous price, 7/2 or so as IMO she needs a drop back to 7f having shown so much speed in both the Imprudence and the French Guineas.
