French fancies: Today's Chantilly preview

Raison the choice in an open looking Prix Herod

The Prix Herod is the feature race at Chantilly racecourse this afternoon, a two-year-old Listed race run over 1,400m and with the ground described as ‘very heavy’ it looks sure to be a tough test for all nine declared runners.

With the firm race conditions excluding the running of any horse that has won a Group race it is no surprise that this €60,000 event looks surprising difficult to decipher, with plenty of unexposed types in the line-up.

Therefore its seems only logical to think that Choise Of Raison, who is the only horse in the line up to have already been placed at Listed level can seal the victory for his in-form trainer Frederic Rossi, the colt looks a worthy favourite.

With five solid runs already under his belt Choise Of Raison comes into this race not only one of the most experienced but also with the highest handicap mark in the field, running off a French mark of 46 (101 in UK). Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time this afternoon, that alone could be enough to help scoop yet another big prize for his trainer Frederic Rossi who trained Charly Nova to finish second in this race in 2016 and only yesterday evening notched up winner number 100 for the season with fellow two-year-old Najm at the trainer’s local Marseille Pont-de-Vivaux track.

Choise of Raison was last seen finishing a solid third in a similar contest at Deauville in October and although he was quite easily held that day the son of Zoffany should benefit from the step back down in trip today. Already proven in these heavy conditions and drawn to strike from stall number four, the Rossi trained colt should be tough to beat with Tony Piccone in the saddle once again.

Promising Private can progress again for Clement

One of the biggest threats to Choise Of Raison could come from highly promising filly Private Romance, one of the least exposed runners in the line-up. Well held on her debut at Compiegne, the well-bred daughter of Siyouni left that performance behind when taking a maiden at ParisLongchamp three weeks ago.

Although that victory was over the extended distance of 1,800m there was a lot to like about her effort, held up towards the back of the field, Private Romance remained last of the ten runners with 600m left to race, then a strong charge down the outside saw her pull three lengths clear at the line to win for her trainer Nicholas Clement.

Even if 2019 has been somewhat of a quieter year for the Chantilly-based Arc winning trainer, Clement thrives with this type of animal and tends to do well at this time of year(particularly with fillies, such as Wonderment in 2018) and there is a lot to like about the profile of the Hilary Erculiani-owned Private Romance who’s dam Private Eye landed a very similar event on only her fourth start back in 2010.

Afraid Of Nothing should repay sporting connections

Over the years the Prix Herod has been supported by various overseas runners but without much success, this year four of the nine runners come from outside of France. Of those four, there is a lot to like about Afraid Of Nothing, who is trained by Ralph Beckett in the colours of Qatar Racing Ltd.

Progressing nicely through the ranks, she was quite impressive when landing a handicap at Epsom just under two months ago and the daughter of Charm Spirit was supplemented for this race at a cost of €2,160, meaning she will have to finish at least fifth in order to cover that fee. Although Beckett’s filly is now two from four this afternoons race poses a much stiffer question as the filly makes the jump up to Listed company for the first time.

She is not helped by the widest draw (9) but holds definite place claims and has the assistance of in-form pilot Theo Bachelot who takes over from globetrotting Oisin Murphy.

Already seen nine times since her debut at Limerick in June the Joseph O’Brien trained filly Chrysalism has been in the frame on almost every start and could prove the next best of the overseas raiders. The O’Brien family-bred Starspangledbanner filly was placed fifth in a Listed event at Dundalk last month and that run combined with her ultra-tough and consistent attitude entitles her to hold strong place claims, which if achieved could prove invaluable for her future career in the breeding sheds.

In-form Brandt seeking further success

The €55,000 handicap the Prix du Paddock looks an ideal opportunity for trainer Pia Brandt to continue what has already been a marvelous season as the Chantilly based handler sends out Brazing, ridden by the champion jockey elect Maxime Guyon. The Swedish born trainer last month saddled Mkfancy to win the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud and recently trained her 50th winner of an incredible campaign.

A son of Dabirism, Brazing has continued to improve throughout the season, most recently finishing a close second in a very similar event at ParisLongchamp, his first start over the distance of 1,600m which he tackles again today.

Although not quite as talented as Mkfancy, Brazing has been plying his trade quite consistently at this level and off his mark of 38 (84 in UK) looks primed at the weights to go well from a central draw of nine, especially as this afternoon marks a return to the fibresand for the three-year-old.

Brazing is Brandt’s only runner of the meeting and demands maximum attention, he runs in the colours of Finn Blichfeldt who also owns Reliable Son, another Nicolas Clement runner who should prove tough to beat in the first race on today's bumper twelve-race card.