Monday, August 08, 2022

Iskandara seeks first win with class

Clairefontaine, Monday, 8 August: Obstacle day on the Atlantic coast with the first start at 13:48. Three times it is over the difficult jumps. Five times it is the turn of the specialists over hurdles. This is also the case for the final in the 8th race at 6 pm in the Prix Journal Le Veinard, the Quinté test with sixteen four-year-old candidates. A total of 95,000 euros in prize money is up for grabs.

Although Iskandara, to be ridden by Kilian Dubourg, has never won over jumps, she has collected place money eagerly so far. Her class should be enough to expect her to be right at the front here. After a few unsuccessful attempts, Ilestbo de Houelle (David Gallon) snatched his first win in Vichy just under a fortnight ago. It is this form, as well as his sixth place before in Auteuil, that leaves all possibilities open for him to do well here. Imbatable du Seuil (Theo Chevillard) has even less experience and has only completed one race this year, finishing third in Auteuil. Far more stakes are behind Planetarium (Christopher Riou), who attracted attention when third and fourth at Clairefontaine in July and is considered a final contender here. Matera (Angelo Zuliani) came in ahead of him, but the mare carries maximum weight here. Paint Prince (Thomas Beaurain) keeps running into the money and remains to be mentioned as well as Rock an Roll (Dylan Ubeda) with his very consistent form. Orange Diamond (Damien Mescam) must also be mentioned, who is in top form here with a fresh victory against opponents who are, however, less strong.