3 minute read

Preview: Prix du Jockey Club.

Inspired by the format of the English Derby, the G1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) was established in 1836 and named in honour of the Jockey Club. We look at each runner and analyse their chance...

Fort Payne

Fort Payne is yet to finish out of the frame in five starts. He was a fair third in the G3 Prix de Guiche (1800m) on 11 May and may come forward for the run.

Derab

Derab represents training duo John & Thady Gosden and takes a significant step up in class after a comfortable six and a half-length victory in a novice stakes over 1600m at Newmarket (UK). It was an impressive display however this represents a significantly tougher test. John Gosden trained Mishriff to win last year's renewal.

Makaloun

One of two representatives for the Aga Khan, Makaloun has recorded five wins from six racecourse starts. He closed off his juvenile campaign with a third in the G1 Critérium de Saint-Cloud (2000m) at Saint Cloud and returned with a half-length success in the G3 Prix de Guiche (1800m) at Chantilly on 11 May. Retained rider Christophe Soumillon has elected to ride ahead of his stablemate. The distance would be a question mark – 89% of sire Bated Breath's winners have won over 1700m or less. 

Saiydabad

The lesser experienced of the Aga Khan duo, Saiydabad was unraced as a juvenile. He delivered conditions victories on his first two outings before breaking through for a half-length success in the Listed Prix de Suresnes (2000m) at Chantilly on 4 May. He remains unexposed. 

El Drama

A UK representative from Roger Varian's yard, El Drama stepped up in class when taking the Listed Dee Stakes (2060m) at Chester on 6 May. He is a proven stayer which may be an advantage against less exposed rivals at the distance.

Millebosc

One of two runners from the Stephanie Nigge yard, Millebosc is by G1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) winner Le Havre. He was a fair second behind Makaloun in the G3 Prix de Guiche (1800m) at Chantilly and is likely to appreciate the extra trip.

Royal Word

Royal Word has raced exclusively in the Czech Republic and won the Czech 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Praha (Prague) last month. He may have a bit to find with some of these, but he is an interesting runner.

St Mark's Basilica

Winner of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (1600m) at Longchamp, St Mark's Basilica will be stepping up in distance for the first time. His breeding suggests it would not be an issue and he's hard to fault on achievements to date.

Baby Rider

Unbeaten in his last three starts, Baby Rider impressed many with a determined attitude to win the G2 Prix Greffulhe (2100m) at Saint Cloud by a head on 1 May. The trainer prepared the winner in 2018 and Baby Rider should be able to play a major role.

Pretty Tiger

Pretty Tiger has been given a short break since his run in the G3 Prix Noailles (2100m) at Longchamp, where he was first over the line but demoted to second. He was unbeaten in three starts prior to that and is potentially underrated.

Policy of Truth

Policy of Truth surprised many with a success in the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau (1600m) at Longchamp on 18 April and ran with credit to finish fourth in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (1600m). He's by Siyouni so should not be dismissed over the longer distance. 

Sealiway

Sealiway competed in the top races as a juvenile and was successful in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardare (1400m) at Longchamp in October. Despite a second in the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau (1600m) at Longchamp, he struggled in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (1600m) and needs to show more.

Smile Makers

Smile Makers has an impressive place record, finishing in the top three in all eight starts. His second behind Baby Rider in the G2 Prix Greffulhe (2100m) at Saint Cloud is potentially good form.

Ninth Titan

Ninth Titan lacks the big-race experience of his opponents, having only competed in conditions races. His recent second in the Class 1 Prix de la Croix de Pontarme (2200m) would not be good enough to win this.

Megallan

Megallan commenced the new season with a second in the Listed Spring Cup Stakes (1400m) at Lingfield AW (UK) but caught the eye when second subsequently in the G2 Dante Stakes (2050m) at York (UK) behind Hurricane Lane, who will race in the G1 Derby (2400m) at Epsom (UK) on Saturday. Stablemate to Derab. His Dante run could be a strong form-line.

Normandy Bridge

Second behind Van Gogh in the G1 Criterium International (1600m) at Saint Cloud in October, Normandy Bridge is yet to translate the same level of form to his three-year-old campaign. He struggled when seventh in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (1600m) at Longchamp and needs more.  

Van Gogh

Van Gogh is expected to improve for the longer distance and was a surprise withdrawal from the G1 Derby (2400m) at Epsom (UK). Connections prefer the 2100m trip of the G1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) and his recent third in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas (1600m) is strong form.  

Adhamo

Adhamo was a winner of the G3 Prix de la Force (1800m) on 11 April and followed it up with a fourth in the G3 Prix de Guiche (1800m) at Chantilly. He would need to improve. 

Cheshire Acadamy

Cheshire Academy is unbeaten in three starts and won over the distance when scoring by two and a half lengths in the G3 Prix Noailles (2100m) at Longchamp. He is unexposed and has the potential for further progression.

WIN – St Mark's Basilica

DARK HORSE – Baby Rider