Albigna could be well worth forgiving the run last time out, as she looks to enhance her Classic claims in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac for juvenile fillies over 1m on Arc Weekend day 2 at Longchamp this Sunday (13:15).
Trainer Jessica Harrington reported her to be in season following a below par effort at The Curragh.
Prior to that disappointing sixth in the Moyglare Stud Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend, the daughter of Zoffany won her first two starts under perfectly timed rides.
Albinga touched off Tango in the final strides to land a Curragh maiden over 6f, then returned to that same venue for the Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes.
She again ran on strongly and got up close home, scoring by half-a-length. The way Albigna has shaped suggests that a step up in trip would suit.
There were also some signs of that last time out when she kept on to be beaten just 2 1/2 lengths by Love.
That test was over 7f and Albigna now tackles a mile for the first time. Her pedigree points to this trip being no problem.
Irish raiders also have a decent record in the Prix Marcel Boussac, so she looks sure to give a better account of herself here.
Albigna is 5/2 with Betfred to resume winning ways under Shane Foley in what doesn’t look the strongest of renewals. She looks a bit of value at that price.
Savarin respected in Prix Marcel Boussac
Group 3 course and distance winner Savarin faces three re-opposing rivals from last time out, so there’s no reason why she can’t confirm the form for trainer Andre Fabre.
This daughter of Japanese super-sire Deep Impact followed-up on her debut win at Deauville when coming with a sustained run and only needed driving out to score by three-quarters of a length.
The third, fifth and sixth fillies home all take her on again. Each was no more than 1 1/4 lengths behind her, but Savarin was always doing enough to win and she is thus respected at 5/2 with Unibet here.
Marieta looks an interesting each-way contender, meanwhile, on her Group 2 second to Tropbeau last time out.
This Siyouni filly chased home the Cheveley Park third in the Prix du Calvados at Deauville on this ground and again steps up in trip.
The way Marieta forged clear between horses to take the runner-up spot behind a winner who completed a hat-trick suggests the extra furlong should suit.
That makes her one to consider for the frame in this at 8/1 with Ladbrokes on Arc Weekend day 2.
Godolphin owned filly Bionic Woman also goes for Fabre in the Prix Marcel Boussac and is another that shaped like a mile was well within her compass last time out.
This daughter of Lope De Vega responded immediately to jockey Mickael Barzalona when he asked her to quicken in a minor event at Saint-Cloud over 7f.
Bionic Woman ran on strongly and was well in command in the final half-a-furlong.
This demands more but – given connections – it would be no surprise to see her involved in the finish either. Bionic Woman is 13/2 with Betfred here.
Armory appeals on Arc Weekend day 2
The other juvenile Group 1 on a stellar card is the Prix Jean-Luc Lagadere (13:50), and Armory appeals at the odds on offer for Ballydoyle maestro Aidan O’Brien, who has trained eight previous winners of the race.
This Galileo colt ran into the very special Pinatubo last time out but, prior to that, had progressed at a rate of knots.
Armory came on his racecourse debut when third at Leopardstown when taking a Curragh maiden under a hands and heels ride.
He won going away by 2 1/4 lengths, then bolted up by five in the Group 3 Tyros Stakes.
Armory continued his rapid upward curve with a keeping on three-quarters of a length success in the Group 2 Futurity Stakes. That punched his ticket to the National Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend.
Although Armory was no match for the nine-length winner who is a red-hot favourite for next year’s 2000 Guineas, the way he kept on into second suggests a mile will suit him.
Galileo sired two-year-olds tend to want that trip as they progress throughout their juvenile career too. Taking all that into account, Armory is a value bet at 5/1 with Coral to resume winning ways.
Victor Ludorum and Ecrivain both dangers in Prix Jean-Luc Lagadere
Godolphin have owned two of the last four winners of this race, and the unbeaten Victor Ludorum has created a big impression when landing both of his starts for trainer Fabre.
He heads the betting here at 6/4 with William Hill as a result and, although visually impressive, what the Shamardal colt has beaten is open to question.
Victor Ludorum has comfortably won over course and distance on debut, and when following-up in another minor event at Chantilly by a similar margin of 3 1/2 lengths.
Connections report him to be working well with stable companion Earthlight, who won the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket last weekend, at home. He also retains plenty of scope for further improvement which is expected.
As Victor Ludorum is clearly held in high regard, it would be no surprise to see him land the hat-trick. Based on his price alone, however, he is opposed.
Another danger to Armory is Ecrivain – another unbeaten course and distance winner. This Lope De Vega colt has won on the forecast soft ground when prevailing by a head at Deauville on debut.
Ecrivain has since landed a Group 3 here despite pulling hard early doors. Jockey Maxime Guyon restrained him, however, and later angled him out to challenge in-between horses.
As Ecrivain ran on to score by a cosy length from stable companion Hopeful, he’s one to consider now again on the upgrade.
The form has been franked by the runner-up and third home Al Dabaran, who were first and second in a Group 3 at Chantilly next time out.
That makes Ecrivain well worth considering on Arc Weekend day 2 at 9/2 with Betfair in search of his hat-trick.
