classic card at Longchamp

today´s Longchamp card features four group races, including the two classics, the Poule d´Essai des Pouliches at 14.35 and the Poulains at 15.50, the French equivalents of the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas. The Poulains has attracted a huge field of 16 runners, only 6 of which are trained in France. Their best chances of keeping the race at home are the Aga Khan´s Siyouni (Alain de Royer-Dupré/ Christophe Lemaire), who should certainly beat his stable-companion and pacemaker Rajsaman Gerald Mossé) this time, and the German-owned Lope de Vega (André Fabre/ Maxime Guyon). They face a strong foreign challenge, headed by Godolphin runner Poet´s Voice (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori) and Dick Turpin (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes), runner-up in the English equivalent two weeks ago. If he has recovered from that hard race, he is the choice here. The German runner Zazou (Mario Hofer/ Olivier Peslier) should not be overlooked; he won the Dr. Busch in excellent style, and although this race is much tougher, it would not be a total surprise to see him finish in the frame.
The Pouliches looks much more straightforward. 9 of the 10 fillies are French-trained and the British runner Lady of the Desert (Brian Meehan/ Kieren Fallon), a daughter of the super-speedy Queen´s Logic, is by no means certain to stay a mile. Special Duty (Criquette Head-Maarek) won the English Guineas on an objection and is attempting a rare double - last achieved by the same trainer 22 years ago with Ravinella. She was well behind Joanna (Jean-Claude Rouget/ Christophe Soumillon) on her seasonal debut, but that form on very bad ground can be ignored. However the Aga Khan has another strong entry here and can take this with Rosanara (Royer-Dupre´/ Lemaire), who was also beaten first time out this year.
The Prix Hocquart for 3yo´ s over 2200 metres at 16.25 is an important Derby trial, but the field this year looks substandard. Godolphin have a good chance here with two runners, Emirate´s Dream (bin Suroor/ Dettori) and the supplemented Lion Mountain (Mahmoud al Zarooni/ Ahmed Ajtebi), while German-bred Makani (Jonathan Pease/ Lemaire) looks best of the French.
The Prix de Saint-Georges over 1000 metres at 14.05 has a strong field including two German runners - Mood Music (Hofer/ Guyon) and Best Joking (Werner Hefter/ Ioritz Mendizibal). Both are very fast, but still look up against it. Mood Music won this race last year (on an objection), but the opposition looks stronger this time, and he has been off the track for a long time. Two ex-champion sprinters, Benbaun (Kevin Ryan/ Jamie Spencer) and Marchand d´Or, both previous "Abbaye" winners, are the main dangers. Marchand d´Or would win this at anything near best form; he was a big disappointment last year, but has been switched from Freddie Head´s stable to Mikel Delzangles, although he will be ridden as usual by Davy Bonilla.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Maria Royal - Seeking Solace - Plume Rose
2. Race: Mister Manannan - Sorciere - Bluster
3. Race: Joanna - Barouda - Special Duty
4. Race: Catalina Sunrise - Dear Maria - Johanan
5. Race: Dick Turpin - Royal Bench - Lope De Vega
6. Race: Celtic Celeb - Silver Pond - Emirates Dream
7. Race: Dardor - Advalta - A Fong
8. Race: Karanga - Shanna Bere - Ransom Demand