FRENCH OAKS REDEMPTION DAY? Daqman relates a Story that didn’t have a happy ending in the French Oaks but the same Aidan O’Brien stable may have a better Story to tell at Chantilly today. Can they spoil redemption day for Shes Perfect and Kieran Shoemark, disqualified from the French 1,000 Guineas.
IN ENGLAND: Daqman has bets later this afternoon from Salisbury and Doncaster.
STORY CAN FOIL PERFECT ENDING
🇫🇷 3.05 Chantilly (Prix de Diane) Aidan O’Brien found Christopher Head’s Blue Rose Cen a thorn in his side last time he tried to win this French Oaks in 2023.
It was no surprise when ‘Rose’, who slammed Ballydoyle’s Never Ending Story that day, bloomed again in the Opera at the Arc meeting, with O’Brien runner-up to her a second time.
Head has a ‘wild rose’ running today (Rosa Salvaje) and she may not have to improve much as the pick of his three fillies which were 2nd, 3rd and 4th at Longchamp in the autumn behind the recent French 1,000 Guineas winner, Zarigana.
Remember, Zarigana won the Guineas in the Stewards room after being beaten a nose by Shes Perfect (Charlie Fellowes), with Francis-Henri Graffard’s Mandanaba (too keen) third, Andre Fabre’s Better Together (short of room) fifth and Bedtime Story (O’Brien) sixth (nearest finish).
It all looks very tight on form and anyone’s guess who will come out on top over the extra two-and-a-half furlongs today but Graffard is most keen on Gezora and Christophe Soumillon.
She’s Perfect has Kieran Shoemark retaining the ride on redemption day, and the Frankel filly Bedtime Story has speed but is related to a Yorkshire Oaks winner.
Frankel figures in the breeding of two of the last three Diane winners: he was the sire of Nashwa (2022) and the dam’s sire of Sparkling Plenty (2024).
Daqman’s verdict: 1: Bedtime Story, 2 She’s Perfect, 3 Gezora
KEEPING THE SPIRIT IN UK
⭕ 5.00 Salisbury The preceding ‘feature’ class 2 looks disappointing at face value and certainly trappy from a betting perspective with just four runners – two of which are debutants for William Haggas.
This class 4 handicap over seven furlongs can go to Crimson Spirit who has been running consistently well in more competitive races, including an excellent third to Mums Tipple in a 21 runner York handicap last time out.
Off an unchanged handicap mark he should take advantage and is preferred to class 5 Beverley winner Noel Fox who is up in class and up 4lb in the weights.
SUPER MARIO
⭕ 5.30 Salisbury Striking whilst the iron is hot seems the best policy with the George Boughey trained Marioento who might well be up for adding to his easy Chepstow win eight days ago off a new mark of 8lb higher.
Whilst the Chepstow win came on soft ground, he seems versatile on a quicker surface too judged by previous solid efforts at Chepstow and Salisbury.
Fair Dinkum was attracting some morning support on the Betdaq Betting Exchange and might prove the biggest danger despite his overall 0-15 CV. He has run well here at Salisbury before.
MARY TO BLITZ THEM
⭕ 5.37 Doncaster Looks a race to take on the market leader Noavamay who comes into this on a run of 222 (beaten favourite at Catterick last time out), with her trainer Michael Dods on the cold list and is 0-22 over the past fortnight.
I prefer the chances of Wee Mary who is a confirmed front runner and might prove hard to peg back.
DAQMAN’S BETS on Betdaq Betting Exchange
3.05 Chantilly (win 20)
BET 4pts win BEDTIME STORY
★ 5.00 Salisbury (win 10, nap)
BET 6.6pts win CRIMSON SPIRIT
5.30 Salisbury (win 10)
BET 5.0pts win MARIOENTO
5.37 Doncaster (win 10)
BET 2.2pts win WEE MARY
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