First group race of 2009

The first European group race of the season will be run today at 16.05 at Saint-Cloud, the Prix Exbury over 2000 metres. As many of the Paris stables are not yet in top form, this race looks quite open, although Indian Daffodil (Jean-Claude Rouget/ Christophe Lemaire) and Chinchon (Carlos Laffon-Parias/ Christophe Soumillon - who flies off to Hong Kong after the race to partner Good Ba Ba) are expected to start as the two favourites. English-trained Lady Deauville (Roger Curtis/ Jean-Pierre Guillambert) is the only foreign runner; when trained last year by Paul Blockley she gave Hayley Turner her first group race winner when scoring at Hanover. She will be a big price today, but certainly acts on the ground.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Stacelita - Tassara - Divine Comedy
2. Race: Magnetic Storm - Star Val - Miss Denmark
3. Race: Sunshine Rheinberg - Tonalite - Red Wolf
4. Race: Nizamabad - Martial Law - Nizamabad
5. Race: Indian Daffodil - Wingstar - Trincot
6. Race: Card In Hand - Patagonian Dream - Talon Bleu
7. Race: Vesuve - Palermo Viejo - Melisos
8. Race: Samala - Barefoot`s Park - Pasada