3 minute read
We look at the leading contenders for the Group Two Grand Prix de Bretagne, a Group Two event over 2700m.
Valzer Di Poggio - maintains an excellent recent record and is seeking a twelfth consecutive victory. This will be a significant step up in grade for the six-year-old however recent achievements suggest he is capable of producing a big performance. He added another success at Lignieres in the Grand Prix de Lignieres (3450m) in early November and is the choice of drive (from three) of Jean-Michel Bazire.
Féerie Wood - is a proven contender at the top level. He broke through for a first Group One success in the Championnat Européen des 5 Ans (2100m) at Vincennes in mid-October with a kilometre rating of 1'12'9. That was followed up with a second in the Group Two Prix Marcel Laurent (2100m) behind champion Facetime Bourbon and has an opportunity to qualify for the Group One Le Grand Prix d'Amérique (2700m) in February.
Diable de Vauvert - has hit top form over the past six months and has been winning some competitive affairs at smaller tracks including the Group Three Grand National du Trot Paris-Turf (2850m) at Maure-de-Bretagne and Grand Prix de la Ville de Laval (2850m) at Laval. Although he was second in the Group Two Prix Jockey (2700m) at Vincennes in 2018, Diable de Vauvert has not been seen in Group Two company since and could have an impact on return to this level.
Feliciano - is one of the youngest competitors in the Grand Prix de Bretagne. Racing well in top-class company over the past few months, he has been unlucky to have run into Facetime Bourbon twice from his last three outings including placing second behind that rival in the Group One Critérium des 5 Ans (3000m) at Vincennes in late August. Feliciano finished a good second to rival Féerie Wood in the Group One Championnat Européen des 5 Ans (2100m) on his latest start and that could be the form-line to follow.
Tony Gio
Eric Raffin teams up with Tony Gio for the Group Two Grand Prix de Bretagne. The horse's experience in international Group company may give him an advantage. Second in the Group Two Prix d'Eté (2700m) at Vincennes in September, Tony Gio has been fairly consistent producing some excellent performances on his best day. His career peak effort was probably a second in the Group One Grand Prix de Paris (4150m) in February 2020 and that form would put him in the mix.
