LYON LA SOIE

SELECTED RACES

Race 1 – PRIX PIBARNON

RACKMAN can continue his improvement for trainer, Jerome Reynier. Another handsome type to run in the Nurlan Bizakov silks, the Due Diligence colt disappointed on debut (unsuitable ground) but left that behind when a staying on 5th to Tashanka last month. The penny appeared to drop that day and Antony Crastus takes the reins once more. The 6th, Le Phocea, advertised the form by winning yesterday at Pau under Ioritz Mendizabal for trainer, Manon Scandella-Lacaille. They are represented here by King Zarak, a Zarak colt who shaped nicely enough on debut at Salon-De-Provence. Piperade made the frame last time but a bigger threat may come from debutant, Vazirhan for the excellent Francis Graffard. Sporting the Aga Khan silks, the English Channel colt looks destined for greater things.

Race 4 – PRIX DES PIERRES DOREES

These handicaps should carry a ‘Government Wealth Warning’ but hopefully we can land on some value. CHONATA, a mare by Captain Chop, remains a maiden after 17 starts, but arrives in fair form under Eddy Hardouin. Recent runs have come at this track, where she produced her best performance over C&D in November, when an excellent 3rd to Hackle Setter. The Noble Mission gelding again finished ahead of the selection last month when 3rd over 2400M and has to be respected. Marguns, an Anodin filly, was a longstanding maiden before the door opened in July at Vittel. She doubled her tally at this track in October and remains in excellent heart for trainer, Isabelle Juteau. Reunited with Thomas Trullier, she deserves her position at the head of the market.

Race 6 – PRIX DES ETANGS DE LA DOMBES

This looks very open and I’ll take a chance on SIXUNION for Adrien Fouassier. Supplemented for this race, the son of Recorder has to bounce back from a last of 16 at Craon, and we’ll just have to forgive that and focus on his penultimate 3rd to French Diva at Saint-Brieuc under Pierre Remoue. The selection is relatively lightly raced after 17 runs and knows how to win on an artificial surface, having scored at Deauville this time last year. Today’s assignment represents a marked rise in trip but he stayed on well over 3100M at Pornichet last season and Eddy Hardouin rides for the first time.