French racing tips: Jason Kiely previews the action from Deauville

This afternoon's action comes from Deauville where once again we are treated to another impressive ten race card. A brace of Group Two contests, including the Grand Prix de Chantilly, are preceded by a couple of interesting Listed events in what is merely the aperitif to an incredible two-days' racing at the Normandy-based venue.

Our man in France Jason Kiely examines the two feature races and has also spied some horses worth keeping on side throughout the afternoon.

Side with Ziyad for success in Grand Prix

There may only be six runners heading to post for this year’s running of the Grand Prix de Chantilly (16.00) but if there is anything lacking in numbers it has certainly been made up for terms of quality in the 2,500m contest. Several form-lines can be linked through the sextet including at Group One level and with the recent editions of today’s Group Two containing most of today’s runners, it is fair to say an end result is far from clear-cut.

A gallant second in the 2019 running, Ziyad comes into today’s feature having made a successful start to his five-year-old campaign with a comfortable victory at Chantilly in March. His regular pilot Maxime Guyon reported after that race that Ziyad felt ‘better than ever’ after the colt scored over a distance much too short without having to be asked too many questions.

The switch to Deauville should prove advantageous for the Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained colt who is two from two at the track, with arguably his career best performance coming over today’s course and distance in last season's Grand Prix de Deauville.

The globetrotting son of Rock Of Gibraltar then went on to produce a fine effort when finishing third in the $800,000 Canadian International at Woodbine, marking his second placing at the top level in two attempts and the colt will almost certainly head overseas again this season.

Laffon-Parias has been in reasonable form in recent weeks and reproduction of those performances should get Ziyad over the line ahead of today’s rivals although the presence of Way To Paris and French King will make the task a shade more difficult.

Way To Paris has been a model of consistency for his Italian-born trainer Andrea Marcialis and although he falls just short of what is needed for Group One level the seven-year-old had his finest hour when taking our last season’s Group Two Prix Maurice de Nieuil by a nose from Marmelo. The courageous grey finished second on his seasonal bow three weeks ago under new partner Pierre-Charles Boudot and should put it up to the favourite.

Speedy Batwan relishes new trip

A change of trip seems to have allowed the Phillipe Sogorb-trained Batwan put his best foot forward and the son of Kendargent may become the ‘dark horse’ in the French sprinting division should he take today's Group Three Prix du Gros-Chene(16.35).

Having hovered just below stakes level for the majority of his career, five-year-old Batwan burst onto the scene when landing the Group Three Prix de Saint-Georges in determined style three weeks ago, with six of today’s eight rivals finishing behind the Guy Pariente owned gelding that day.

Considering that was only his second start over the 1,000m trip and first time ridden by champion jockey Guyon (rides again today) Batwan was quickly into stride and positioned well behind the leaders before kicking clear inside the final furlong to finish a half a length clear in front of the blinkered Gold Vibe – a rather impressive performance.

With today’s contest likely to take somewhere around 57 seconds to run there will be little margin for error. Drawn to strike in stall four, Batwan can stamp his authority on the sprinting division providing the quicker ground over the straight course poses no problems.

There was much to like about the comeback run of sprinting specialist Sestilo Jet when finishing third behind Batwan and the Andrea Marcialis trained colt could well come on for that run just like he did when finishing second in this race last season.

Atlantique may not have it easy

He possibly bumped into a freak in the shape of Pao Alto on his return to action a couple of weeks ago, but Ocean Atlantique will have to fight to uphold his lofty reputation in the Listed Prix de Sureness at 14.50.

The Andre Fabre-trained son of American Pharoah was heavily supported on his comeback run at ParisLongchamp but failed to match eventual winner Pao Alto after pulling a bit too much in the early stages before getting checked in his run at the 400m pole, although the result most probably would have remained unchanged even with a clearer passage.

Representing the famous Coolmore silks, Ocean Atlantique holds an entry in both the Prix de Jockey Club and the Grand Prix de Paris and if connections are serious about taking up those entries then the blue blooded colt needs to be winning at ease this afternoon.

Irska has looked above average in her two starts to date and it would be no surprise to see her turn the favourite over in todays 2,000m contest. The unbeaten filly was given an excellent ride by young Hugo Journiac (a name to follow) when taking a conditions race at Saint Cloud on her second start in a likeable manner.

She was ridden from the front that day and in a small field like today Irska may be the one to be on if getting the run of the race on the front end, especially of Ocean Atlantique refuses to settle. In any case she is a filly worth following and still holds a Group Three entry in two weeks’ time.

Farout can continue to improve

Although he is not one of the stars of Francis-Henri Graffard’s immensely powerful stable, three-year-old Farout looked as though there was a plenty in reserve when successful in a Vichy handicap two weeks ago and should be capable of doubling up in the Prix d’Ecouen (14.15).

Owned by the Niarchos family, Farout showed glimmers of ability throughout a light two-year-old campaign and was placed second on the final start of his juvenile year. Given a chance by the handicapper and also gelded for the first time, the son of Dark Angel dominated affairs at Vichy under the owners retained rider Stephane Pasquier when winning quite cosily by just over a length.

He still showed slight signs of greenness in that win and although the handicapper imposed a hefty 3.5kgs penalty that may not be enough to anchor Farout, who comes from the family of Group One winner Coup de Genie.

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