French Sunday Action From Deauville! + 26/1 Acca!

Deauville takes center stage in France on Sunday, hosting a card that includes several pattern races. The card is headlined by the Prix Robert Papin, a five-furlong dash that sees plenty of British horses looking to stag the prize. We’ve got previews for all four of the big races, including a juicy 26/1 acca to help make your Sunday that bit more exciting! For all our British horse racing tips, check on site now!

Prix de Bagatelle (Listed)

An interesting Listed race kicks off the pattern action, with the obvious standout in the field is John Gosden’s TWIST ‘N’ SHAKE (2/5). She sets the standard on ratings, second in this grade at York to subsequent Sandringham second Magnetic Charm. Her latest fourth in the Group 1 Coronation was a very good effort and she’s now back down in grade to compete here. If matching that level of form, she’ll be extremely tough to beat.

Of the French, Fount made a very good start to her career with a pair of wins before perhaps finding ten furlongs too much in the Prix Saint Alary. Better can be expected of her down in distance and she looks the only real danger in a race where the front two should dominate.

Prix Robert Papin (Group 2)

The race of the day is littered with British raiders, with impressive Norfolk Stakes winner A’ALI (7/4) the one who stands out the most. Arriving at Royal Ascot on the back of a novice second, he left that behind to win cozily at Royal Ascot, pulling clear with another useful looking rival. Completely unexposed, and retaining the services of Frankie Dettori, he’s the one they all have to beat on paper. The rest of the British horses have plenty to find with her, with Rayong perhaps the most likely to throw down a challenge.

The main danger should come from France’s Salar Island, who is unbeaten in two starts thus far, gaining both successes at Compiegne over seven furlongs. This is far tougher, but he’s going the right way and shouldn’t mind this drop in distance. Fantastic Diamond was a debut winner at Maisons-Laffitte last month and holds a chance alongside Jolie, who was beaten a head in a Group 3 at Chantilly on her latest outing.

Prix de la Pepiniere (Listed)

The sole British runner in this race is Ed Vaughan’s Dancing Brave Bear, who bar a second-place finish in last year’s Musidora, has cut little ice at pattern level. She has the services of Frankie Dettori, but looks to have a very difficult task on her hands.

MUSIS AMICA (6/4) stands out, for the Godolphin and Andre Fabre connection. She was beaten a neck by Laurens two starts ago in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly, having her first run since when second in a Listed race at Compiegne. That was a promising comeback and she now has race fitness on her side. If matching her smart form from last year at this level, she should wipe the floor with the competition.

Prix Messidor (Group 3)

This is a race guaranteed to go to the home team, with no outside interest in the contest. The one they all have to beat on paper is last year’s Arc ninth STUDY OF MAN (7/4), who has finished second on both his starts in 2019, latterly when beaten less than a length in a Group 1 at Longchamp. He was ahead of Trais Flours that day, who he reopposes here on equal terms. A repeat of that form now he’s dropped markedly in grade should prompt him to return to winning ways.