12:28 Reims
Prix Du Champagne De Castelnau - Monte
Trotting
• 2549m
• €30,000
• 10
F
9 yrs
DhD-h4h3mD
8th of 10 finishers on monte debut in a 2050m Lyon-La Soie harness Class D a week ago after having been sanctioned on monte debut. Has ability though and first time unshod behind, will have her supporters
J Ch Piton
F
9 yrs
3m2m1-m6h5
5th of 7 finishers in a 2800m Strasbourg harness Class E earlier this month. Is useful under the saddle but, at this level, can be confidently passed over
Ch Germain
G
9 yrs
4m2m4-mDh6
Sanctioned, when sent out favourite, in a 2600m Cavaillon Class D last week. Won a similar event late last year and, with stride in check, will not be far from the action
Ecurie Nolimit Ab
G
9 yrs
2m3m4m9-m7
Capable on a good day but 7th of 8 in a 2725m Lisieux Class E a month back and is not about to influence the result
Nicolas Gecele
G
7 yrs
6-m2m5m7m7
Flattering 5th of 11 in a 2950m Toulouse Class F last Friday. Races barefoot this time but still hard to make a case
Mlle L Pacha
G
6 yrs
Dm5m4m4m8m4
Not disgraced when 4th of 9 in a 2700m Lyon-La Soie Class E on 10 March. Is not about to shake things up but could still eke out some prizemoney
Ecurie Initial
G
9 yrs
2m8h8m8h6h0
5th, on re-entry, over 2840m at Mons a week ago. Has form in superior company and makes his Reims debut with a respectable chance of making the first 5
D Cinier
G
7 yrs
-
Very hard to knock when applied, most recently 5th in a 2700m Vincennes Class E 3 weeks ago. Goes well right-handed and is good enough to secure this, provided he stays in stride
Ecurie Pierre Levesque
F
7 yrs
0-h9m1m4h1
Good dual-discipline mare that trotted 5th of 9 over 2000m at Gelsenkirchen a fortnight ago, in preparation for this. Form is sure and has a decent chance of trotting her way into the frame
J Stins
G
7 yrs
5m2h4-h3h0
Has not been seen out since coming last of 11 in a 2850m Laval harness Class D 2 months ago. 2nd to ARA (3) last time here and is not incapable of imposing this time
F Grisez
Race Overview
Despite the occasional sanction, HUIS CLOS (SWE) (8) is a tough nut to crack when focused and, fit after 2 return runs, he races with hind shoes on and can make this his own if Camille Levesque keeps him trotting. Consistent for the most part, NICE PRESENT (10) goes unshod behind for his return from a spell and, never disappointing at Reims, is in with a realistic shout. Already a winner in both codes this year, BEAUTY WIND (9) prepped for this in Germany and makes her return to the monte discipline in top form. A winner over course-and-distance last autumn, ARA (3) has previously won under these conditions for Alexis Collette and, if focused, can come close.
Selection:
8 - 10 - 9
