Alkuin with a chance in the Quinté handicap

Deauville, Thursday 25 August: The summer meeting in Deauville is drawing to a close. Eight races will be run in today`s third last event. In the Handicap de la Manche (7th race/20.15 h/50.000 Euro/3200 m) Waldemar Hickst saddles Alkuin (Eddy Hardouin), who was superiorly victorious in Saint-Cloud, against 13 competitors with first chances.

He meets Lettyt Storm (Mickael Barzalona) again, who finished well behind him in fourth place and later won in Les Sables-d`Olonne. Sea Dreamin (Simon Planque), who ran in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier (Group 2), is also among the closest favourites. At his most recent appearance in Compiegne, the four-year-old came in clear second ahead of Barbadin (Hugo Journiac) and Smile Makers (Marie Velon). The latter finished third in Clairefontaine just under three weeks ago ahead of Or Gris (Maxime Guyon) and Blue Swan (Gregory Benoist), who are also conceivable in the front runners. Dojo (Stephane Pasquier) produced a strong performance in the Grand Handicap de Pâques (Classe 1) to finish third ahead of Paper Trophy (Tony Piccone), but has not been on the run-off since May. Just Light (Christopher Grosbois) did well in Dieppe well ahead of Masterpower (Aurelien Lemaitre), who pleases with a favourable mark.