Prix du Jockey Club: More classic joy for Jim

Jim Bolger can enjoy French classic glory

John Ingles has been red-hot on the tipping front, and he previews the Prix du Jockey Club, which is set to take place at Chantilly on Sunday...

Jim Bolger and Andre Fabre hold a strong hand in the Derby at Epsom on Saturday, and the same trainers are responsible for leading contenders in the French equivalent as well, the Prix du Jockey Club, at Chantilly twenty-fours later. Events at Epsom could also provide some last-minute clues for Chantilly, as some of the Prix du Jockey Club field have come up against Derby colts in the various trials.  

Fabre's fears that Intello had been handed a near-impossible task from the widest draw in a big field for the Poule d'Essai des Poulains proved well-founded last time, but the fact that Intello finished strongly to come within a neck and head of winning the French Guineas says plenty for his ability.  Despite losing his unbeaten record at Longchamp, Intello looks the best three-year-old colt in France at present, and that eye-catching run is sure to make him a popular choice to gain compensation on Sunday, which he may well do.

The draw's been a bit kinder to Intello this time and the longer trip isn't a worry, but he's unlikely to represent value in another big field, and anyone remembering what a rough race last year's contest was, when there was a maximum field (only one fewer in the line-up this year), won't be in a hurry to take short odds against any runner.

Jim Bolger's number one contender is Loch Garman, already a Group 1 winner in France when landing the Criterium International last autumn. He improved on that and shaped well when chasing home Battle of Marengo in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial on his reappearance at Leopardstown, and a big run from Aidan O'Brien's colt at Epsom on Saturday would strengthen Loch Garman's claims at Chantilly still further. Loch Garman has had just three starts, and with further scope for improvement can prove a big danger here.

In the absence of Aidan O'Brien's two entries, the Irish challenge is completed by the Andrew Oliver-trained First Cornerstone who will be ridden by Frankie Dettori. He kept good company at two and is bred to appreciate the longer trip, though will need to step up on his fifth place in the Irish 2000 Guineas on his reappearance.

Among the other colts, besides Intello, with the best chance of keeping the prize at home, supplementary entry Dastarhon, who almost pulled off a shock win when runner-up in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains, shouldn't be underestimated this time, particularly as the step up from a mile ought to suit.

Bravodino's only two defeats have come at the hands of Andre Fabre's Derby representative Ocovango, though the close relative of Derby winner Kris Kin gives the impression we won't see the best of him until he goes over a mile and a half. One sure to be suited by the step back up in trip is Morandi, only sixth in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains last time, but who dealt a sound beating to Willie The Whipper (one of two British-trained outsiders in Sunday's line-up, Glacial Age the other) in heavy ground in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud late last year.

Finally, Andre Fabre's other runner Sky Hunter shouldn't be overlooked after winning all three of his starts readily, albeit in a much lesser grade, while the Aga Khan pair Dalwari and Shikarpour are open to further improvement too, Dalwari winning for the second time at Chantilly when successful in the Group 3 Prix de Guiche last time.  

Recommendation:
Back Loch Garman in the Prix du Jockey Club 

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