No real revenge in the Grand Prix de Paris

Longchamp, Thursday, July 14: Today`s National Day in France will see great sport at the posh Longchamp track. The absolute highlight of the nine races is the Grand Prix de Paris (8th race/20.50 pm/600,000 euros/2400 m), but the classic only partially lives up to its reputation as a Derby revenge. Only two of the top five finishers remained standing at the last scratch. El Bodegon (Ioritz Mendizabal), from the quarters of James Ferguson, was closest in second to the winning Vadeni, and behind him Onesto (Stephane Pasquier), for whom Fabrice Chappet is responsible, came in fifth in the dead heat. Both face the Irish-bred Piz Badile (Gavin Ryan), who played no part in the Epsom Derby but finished a sensational second in the Irish Derby (Group 1). Best chances are also given to three current winners. Eldar Eldarov (David Egan) won the Queen`s Vase (Group 2) at Ascot, L`Astronome (Christophe Soumillon) claimed the Prix Hocquart (Group 2) and Simca Mille (Theo Bachelot) was other goods in the Prix du Lys (Group 3).

With German participation, the Prix de Malleret (6th race/19:33/130,000 euros/2400 m) goes over the stage. Sascha Smrczek saddles the Oaks-d`Italia third Zefania (Stephane Pasquier), but counts against the fresh list winners Raclette (Olivier Peslier) and Lastotchka (Theo Bachelot) as well as Baiykara (Christophe Soumillon), who was successful at Group 3 level, only among the outsiders.