Prix Morny at Deauville

Today is one of the most important fixtures of the Deauvulle meeting, but unfortunately the fields have cut up badly and there are very few runners in the big races. Main event is the Group One Prix Morny at 15.50, always one of the best 2yo races of the year, and the field is high class, despite there being only 5 runners. Arcano (Brian Meehan/ Richard Hills) and Canford Cliffs (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) are probably the two best British juveniles of the season so far and are both unbeaten in 2 starts. Zanzibari, trained by André Fabre and ridden by Frankie Dettori, who looks set for a profitable afternoon, looks the best of the French runners. We expect a British winner, but this is a race to watch, not to bet on. The Prix Jean Romanet for 4yo and up fillies and mares over 2000 metres at 16.20 has been promoted to Group One status this year, but the field is not really worth this rating.

The ex-Baltromei Lady Marian (Saeed bin Suroor/ Dettori) would win this if back to her best; she has been well beaten in her 2 starts for Godolphin, but the stable is now in much better form. Alpine Rose (Alain de Royer-Dupré/ Gerald Mossé) is clearly the one to beat. There are only 3 runners in the opening Prix Kergorlay over 3000 metres at 14.15 and this should go to another ex-German horse Schiaparelli (Saeed bin Suroor/ Dettori), an easy winner of the Goodwood Cup last time. He is coupled in the betting with Mojave Moon (Fabre/ Guyon), and the consistent Candy Gift (Tony Clout/ Thierry Jarnet) is unlikely to win, but will still pick up some nice prize-money. The Prix de la Nonette for 3yo fillies at 15.20 probably lies betwen the consistent Tamazirte (Jean-Claude Rouget/ Christophe Lemaire) and Proportional (Criquette Head-Maarek/ Stephane Pasquier), rather disappointing so far this year and held on 2009 form. Dettori´s mount Charity Belle, trained by John Gosden, is also in with a chance.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Schiaparelli - Candy Gift - Mojave Moon
2. Race: Spahi - Rajeeva - Balajo
3. Race: Tamazirte - Proportional - Charity Belle
4. Race: Zanzibari - Arcano - Canford Cliffs
5. Race: Alpine Rose - Lady Marian - Synergy
6. Race: Jimalkamo - Bariloch - Neris
7. Race: Peace Of Cake - Greenwich Meantime - Baby`S Memory
8. Race: Gold Exchange - Sird`ouilly - Phoenix King