Prix de Flore at Saint-Cloud

today´s main feature in France, the Group Three Prix de Flore for fillies and mares at 14.20, has attrracted a strong field,partly because several runners have been re-routed from Italy where Rome´s Premio Lydia Tesio, due to be run yesterday, was abandoned, together with all other Italian racing for the past two weeks. Peter Schiergen´s Goose Bay (Andrasch Starke) is one of them; she won the Italian Oaks earlier in the season, but her German form is less inspiring and she now carries a Group One penalty, whucn makes things even tougher. The opposition includes two more German-breds, Tres Rapide (Henri-Alex Pantall/ Dominique Boeuf), 6th in the "Opera" last time, and La Boum (Robert Collet/ Jean-Bernard Eyquem), but Mahaathem (Freddie Head/ Davy Bonilla), whose trainer can do no wrong at present, and Light Green (Alain de Royer-Dupré/ Christophe Soumillon)(ditto) both look dangerous, while Lady Deauville (Frannie Norton), although well behind Tres Rapide last time, could also run well at a big price. Certainly her trainer Paul Blockley will hope so, as he has just been warned off by the BHA for 2 1/2 years. Schiergen possibly has a better chance with Emporio in a claiming race for amateur riders at 16.20; one of the best European amateurs, Florent Guy, has been booked. Wolfgang Gülcher´s consistent Zadounevees, who runs his best races in France, should also finish in the money in the tiercé handicap at 13.50 with Dominique Boeuf in the saddle.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Martial Law - Xaar`s Pride - Martial Law
2.Race: Naramix - Maitresse - Zadounevees
3.Race: Antiquities - Bahia Breeze - Top Toss
4.Race: Lavetoria - King`S Dam - Maginot Line
5.Race: Miss Maybe - Un Rendez Vous - Menez Hom
6.Race: Sematha - Simple Style - Reve Un Peu
7.Race: Sign of the Wolf - Emporio - Golden Memory
8.Race: Taxfree - Schomir - Rue De Lappe