Trainer quotes and analysis to help you solve a tricky puzzle at Bordeaux
Prix la Lagune | 7f | 3yo | SKY
Some of the conditions races run below Pattern level in the early weeks of the French resumption have thrown up genuine Classic contenders.
While it may be odds against the Prix la Lagune containing any genuine future stars, it is a tight-looking race on paper, with the France Galop handicapper having the ten runners covered by 7lb.
Jean-Claude Rouget's two candidates are headed by Lauenen, who was a decent second on the all-weather at Cagnes-sur-Mer having been forced to wait out the back by a wide draw.
Stablemate Levant has not been seen since finishing down the field in a Listed race at Craon last August.
Sky Power made his return to action when seventh in the well-contested Prix du Pont-Neuf – winner Arapaho heads to next Monday's Poule d'Essai des Poulains – and may have finished closer to the principals with a clear run.
Warzuzu made no impression on his comeback in a slowly run Class 2 at Longchamp, although his trainer Christophe Ferland has supplemented winning stablemate Shining Ocean for the Poule d'Essai, while the third from the same race, Twist, is also due to line up for the Classic at Deauville.
What the trainers say
Antoine de Watrigant, trainer of Spirit Intime
I wanted him to have a gentle reintroduction – with the idea that he sat in behind and then came home well – and to see how he behaved, because he is quite hot-headed. It was a good field and, while he went with them when the race first picked up pace, he couldn't stick with them when they accelerated again. He was probably a bit short of work over a distance that was sharp enough and I think this trip will suit him better.
Gael Barbedette, trainer of Sky Power
He hardly had a race at Longchamp because he got locked on the rail. Still it did him more good physically than a piece of morning work. I wouldn't want the ground to be too soft but hopefully, given the warm weather, that won't be the case even with watering.
Didier Guillemin, trainer of Elwind and Elegua
Elwind seems well and is a very relaxed filly. 1,400 metres [seven furlongs] might be a touch far for her and it is her comeback run but I think she has place prospects. Neither one has changed much over the winter. Elegua had a leg problem that ruled her out of the second half of last season but that is all fine now. Elwind is probably a bit more forward of the two judged on their work.
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