Irian against the world´s best milers at Deauville

the Prix Jacques le Marois at 16.25 at Deauville this afternoon is not only the highlight of the summer meeting here, it is one of the best mile races in the world and has attracted a strong field, including the wonderful filly Goldikova (Freddie Head/ Olivier Peslier), who won in a canter here last time and is certain to be a short-priced favourite. However she does not have much in hand of Godolphin´s Gladiatorus (Frankie Dettori) if official ratings are to be believed. That one was a sensational winner at Dubai in March, before flopping at Royal Ascot; however the stable was then out of form, while they are now going great guns (19 winners in the UK alone so far this month). However it is by no means a two horse race and hopes are high that Gestüt Schlenderhan´s Irian (Jens Hirschberger/ Stephane Pasquier) can play a prominent role. The winner of the German 2,000 Guineas was unbeaten before his rather unlucky third place in the Prix Jean Prat last time and the jockey knows him better now. Also in the reckoning is Silver Frost /Yves de Nicolay/ Christophe Soumillon), winner of the French 2,000 Guineas. Goldikova may be hard to beat, but she will have to be at her best to score here. Several more German runners on the undercard, in particular König Bernard (Werner Baltromei/ Dominique Boeuf) in the valuable handicap at 14.50 and Brusco (Andreas Wöhler/ Boeuf) in the listed race for 3yo stayrs at 17.00 can be expected to run well.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Darling Pearl - Green Dandy - Poppet`s Treasure
2. Race: Grey Soldier - Celtie Rod - Unquenchable Fire
3. Race: Byword - Three Bodies - Debussy
4. Race: Walkingonthemoon - Needleleaf - Cadley Road
5. Race: Goldikova - Gladiatorus - Silver Frost
6. Race: Manighar - Prankster - Manighar
7. Race: Here Comes Alfred - Caerleon Wind - Balajo