Lots to learn from the Prix du Bourbonnais on Sunday, the second stopover on the road to the 2016 Opodo Prix d’Amérique.
Not the same conditions this time compared to the Prix de Bretagne run on November 21. The distance is 150 metres longer over the uphill stretch, and what’s more, the richest will have to concede a 25-metre handicap – a difficult task but not impossible. Ready Cash achieved the feat in 2011 and 2012, but not everyone’s like he!
The mains questions arising are:
– Will Village Mystic (picture) endorse his excellent comeback at Vincennes in the Prix de Bretagne?
– Can Un Mec d’Héripré do better than last time thanks to his great entry on the first line?
– Will the American-bred Swedish-trained mare Delicious US adapt to the outside track and a volt start?
– Will the Prix de Bretagne front-runner Trebol go all the way this time without flagging?
– As one of the stars of last year’s Winter Festival, how fit will Tiego d’Etang be after such a big break?
– Consistent Soléa Rivellière is in top form, but can she strike at this level?
– How will Up And Quick shape up as he gears up for his supreme target, the Opodo Prix d’Amérique?
Those are all questions that we should have answers to by Sunday mid-afternoon.
