Expert Analysis

The first Group 1 of the European flat season did not go the way the market expected but was not quite the surprise that implies. The form cannot be rated highly by the race’s usual standards, with about a length and a half between the first 6, and a steady pace (especially early on) counting against Feed The Flame and Horizon Dore in particular. The winner’s final 400m went by in 23.53s (107.8% finishing speed) against that pair’s 22.97s (110.5%) and 23.11s (109.9%) respectively.

HAYA ZARK (116 here, 113 previously) proved inconsistent in 2023 (admittedly failed to stay 15.5f final start) but came here after a Group 3 win at Saint-Cloud and confirmed that he is very smart on his day, always close up, leading narrowly with 350m to go and again soon after, staying on gamely. He will do well to repeat the feat at this level.

ZARIR (116 here, 110 previously) had been in good heart in non-pattern company, winning twice on AW at Chantilly early this year, and took a further step forward, a bit free and steadied to track the pace, coming through to challenge again late on under pressure but unable to quicken. This was the shortest trip he had tried since his debut and there could be more to come from him under different circumstances.

FEED THE FLAME (115+ here, 115 previously) has his quirks but seemed unlucky not to win this, left with just too much to do and all but getting there, racing sweetly enough in rear and running on down the outside despite bumping with Horizon Dore at one point. He won the Grand Prix de Paris at 2400m here last summer but does not lack pace when in the mood and on ground like this.

AL RIFFA (115 here, 114 previously) ran well but with no obvious excuses, mid to rear and niggled on few occasions before having every chance late on. He seems to have been difficult to train, this his first run since second in a Group 2 at Deauville in August and just third since he was a 2yo.

HORIZON DORE (115+ here, 120 previously) needs the rub of the green given how he tends to be ridden but shaped better than the result once more and remains of interest at this level, held up in touch (checked early), boxed in until early in the home straight and closing thereafter but not quite quickly enough, bumped at one stage. This trip is likely right at the limit of what he will stay.

BIRR CASTLE (113 here and previously) ran creditably again (his Harcourt form can go up despite the defeat of Zarakem in this), staying on from mid-field to be beaten only narrowly.

CRYPTO FORCE (108 here, 113 previously) ran respectably having led/disputed for a long way.

ZARAKEM (106 here, 118 previously) should have had a leading chance on the form of his Harcourt win but faded late on having led/disputed for a long way.

FANTASTIC MOON (104 here, 114 previously)