French Guineas aim for Dice Roll after impressive five-length Djebel win
Report: France, Monday
Deauville: Prix Djebel (Group 3) 7f | 3yo colts & geldings
Dice Roll ran out the five-length winner of the Prix Djebel, a race with a fine pedigree for turning out Classic winners on both sides of the English Channel.
However, the race proved a bitter disappointment for connections of the previously unbeaten Sacred Life who finished only fourth, while the Mark Johnston-trained Cardsharp ran way below the form he had shown at two.
Dice Roll, who has been ridden by Cristian Demuro on every start, rounded off his two-year-old career with a success in the Arqana sales race at Chantilly on Arc weekend and now looks set to play a leading role for trainer Fabrice Chappet in next month's Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp.
"He was three from four last year and is still progressing," said Chappet. "He dominated his rivals throughout the race. We decided on this as a prep over the Prix Fontainebleau but logically we'll go for the Poule d'Essai now."
Sacred Life was trapped on the outside of runners but never threatened to pick up in similar fashion as to when he disposed of his rivals at Group 3 level last September.
"There's no way around it but to be disappointed," said trainer Stephane Wattel, whose colt had been 20-1 for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas before racing.
"He didn't show the same action and ease as we saw last year but I hope we can find improvement over the next month. The plan to go to Britain is obviously now behind us, but hopefully the turning track and the extra 200 metres will be a help in the Poule d'Essai."
Also on Monday
Deauville: Prix Imprudence (Group 3) | 7f | 3yo fillies
Coeur De Beaute proved too good for favourite Zonza in the Prix Imprudence, coming with a late run to triumph.
Natagora (2008) was the most recent Imprudence winner to double up in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, while in 2015 Ervedya won the French equivalent, the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.
Winning trainer Mauricio Delcher Sanchez said: "I'm not quite sure in terms of distance whether seven furlongs or a mile would be best, but she has done that well on heavy ground, and so next up will be the Poule d'Essai.
"I'm hopeful that running it on Longchamp's Moyenne Piste will help a filly that might have limited stamina."
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Published on 9 April 2018inInternational
Last updated 16:40, 9 April 2018
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