Prix Jacques Le Marois Tip & Betting Preview

High on quality but low on numbers this year as the six runners look to win this Group One prize that has been taken three times by Freddie Head over the years and by the top class Ribchester last season for Richard Fahey and jockey William Buick. This year we have just the one entry from the UK but a field of high class milers, so read on for our full horse by horse race preview ahead of the Jacques Le Marois from Deauville.

IN SUMMARY: A tough race to call with in-form options and improving sorts but it may be worth taking a risk on AL WUKAIR who Andre Fabre holds in high regard and who may have been a fraction short of race fitness last time out when Thunder Snow got first run. Fully tuned up here and likely to be kept closer to that rival, he can take this under Frankie Dettori in what looks a really hot renewal.

1 TAAREEF – Unbeaten this season after two runs for trainer Jean-Claude Rouget with a staying on length and three quarter victory at Chantilly followed by a two length win from Al Wukair in the Group Three Prix Messidor at Maison-Lafitte, and he meets that rival on two pounds better terms here. Hard to see that form being turned around today on that run and a worthy overnight favourite.

2 AL WUKAIR – Clearly held by Taareef on recent form yet trainer Andre Fabre seems quite happy to allow them to meet again even on worse terms. There is a thought that he was left with too much to do last time and may have needed the run after two months off, so it may not be quite as clear cut as it seems, and if he can repeat his 2000 Guineas third to Churchill then he would arrive here with every chance for a stable in good form with five winners from their last thirty runners for a 17% strike rate.

3 THUNDER SNOW – Held by Al Wukair on a line through Churchill but a bit of a character who can be very good when in the mood. Last time out Godolphin’s son of Helmet won the Group One Prix Jean Prat at Chantilly by a length and a quarter under an enterprising ride from Christophe Soumillon and wasn’t stopping at the line, though whether these rivals will allow him such an easy lead may yet be the issue.

4 INNS OF COURT – The second Fabre horse and the second carrying the Godolphin colours, and the winner of three of his four starts this season. Well beaten on his only try in anything higher than Group Three standard when sixth at Deauville this looks likely to prove a step too far, and his odds suggest he has little chance of victory here.

5 TRAIS FLUORS – The third of the Fabre trio and a winner of his first four races until running in to Thunder Snow at Chantilly when a length and a quarter second. Although never really having a chance he was left with too much to do but more importantly, the winner wasn’t stopping as the chasing pack expected, and he could well improve again and take a bigger hand in the finish here.

6 GOLD LUCK – Freddie Head has a great record in this race, yet the daughter of Redoute’s Choice is his sole entry which may be a clue. The yard are in form with seven winners from their last seventeen runners for a 41% strike rate (and a level stakes profit of 11.80 points), while she wasn’t that far away when a two and a half-length third to Thunder Snow and Trais Fluors despite falling out of the stalls and she is not without a chance today whatever her price implies.