Group One Prix de l'Abbaye Guide 2022

Louis Moir | @LouisMoir99

Longchamp - October 01 2022
Longchamp 15:25
5(8)
Tony Piccone

Coeur De Pierre

J: Tony Piccone
T: M Delcher Sanchez
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 9-11
OR: N/A
Days: 21

A French gelding who started life as a 2 year old running at 6f but was quickly dropped to 5f as he made that sort of impression on debut.

That decision worked wonders as he went on to win twice over the distance at Chantilly and Deauville.

Steps up to Group One company for the first time but can get involved in the finish, not out of things.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
10/09/23LON5GS9-11
06/08/23DEA5VSft9-45
09/07/23DEA6Sft9-25
24/06/23ASC6GF9-58
04/06/23CHA5Gd9-59
Longchamp - October 01 2022
Longchamp 15:25
7(18)
Christophe Soumillon

Berneuil

J: Christophe Soumillon
T: C & Y Lerner
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-11
OR: N/A
Days: 21

A gelded son of Lope De Vega who has hit form at just the right time heading into this Group One Prix de l'Abbaye.

Won over course and distance last time out and could well make it 2-2 if showing the same attitude once again.

Has not disgraced himself in past Group races so has a big chance here with that form. Player.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
10/09/23LON5GS9-14
28/06/23CHA5GS9-22
04/06/23CHA5Gd9-57
06/04/23DEA5.5Sft9-610
02/10/22LON5VSft9-1117
Longchamp - October 01 2022
Longchamp 15:25
11(16)
Jason Watson

Raasel

J: Jason Watson
T: Michael Appleby
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-11
OR: N/A
Days: 21

This 5 year old gelding not long ago beat the talented Mitbaahy but has declined since, especially in Group company at York and The Curragh.

Has an opportunity to reverse some form but looks very unlikely. Needs to show some ability to bounce back here.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
17/09/23DON5GS9-132
09/09/23HAY5Gd10-01
04/08/23GOO5GS9-43
01/08/23GOO5GS9-89
15/07/23ASC5GS9-44
Longchamp - October 01 2022
Longchamp 15:25
6(2)
Antonio Fresu

Agiato

J: Antonio Fresu
T: Grizzetti Galoppo SRL
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-11
OR: N/A
Days: 25

An Italian trained gelding who has won a few races in Italy but that form looks no match for some of these horses, especially the ones near the top of the market.

Hard to know exactly how this horse will perform on French soil.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
16/10/22SSI5Sft9-33
02/10/22LON5VSft9-1116
07/09/22SSI5.5Gd9-31
22/05/22CAP6Gd9-21
01/05/22CAP6Gd9-52
Longchamp - October 01 2022
Longchamp 15:25
14(10)
Wayne Lordan

Mooneista

J: Wayne Lordan
T: Jack W Davison
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-7
OR: N/A
Days: 21

She has not won since last year but an inform jockey, in Wayne Lordan gets the ride which could make some difference. Has ran over 5f and 6f with the latter not suiting her as much as the distance required here.

Has experience of Group company but heavy ground could make life tough for her.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
02/07/23CUR6Gd9-23
20/06/23ASC5Gd9-413
21/05/23NAA5Gd9-44
02/10/22LON5VSft9-715
11/09/22CUR5Sft9-36
Longchamp - October 01 2022
Longchamp 15:25
15(5)
W J Lee

Teresa Mendoza

J: W J Lee
T: K J Condon
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-7
OR: N/A
Days: 15

This 4 year old filly has only won two from nineteen races so she may not look the most progressive type. However, she has not been disgraced in Group company previously so has a chance of hitting the frame strong here.

Will have to step up once again to Group One company but more than capable of doing so.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
17/09/22NBY5Gd9-02
21/08/22NAA6Gd9-73
06/08/22CUR6Gd9-47
08/07/22YOR6GF9-64
25/06/22CUR6Gd9-21
Longchamp - October 01 2022
Longchamp 15:25
4(19)
Ronan Whelan

A Case Of You

J: Ronan Whelan
T: Adrian McGuinness
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-11
OR: N/A
Days: 21

He put up a career best over at Meydan winning a Group One in March, beating the likes of Naval Crown and Man Of Promise (two strong Godolphin horses).

Drops back down from 6f to 5f here and is certainly not one to dismiss.Has a chance of challenging rivals if bringing his good ground form to what could be heavy conditions.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
27/05/23EAG6.5Gd9-49
13/05/23DOO6Gd9-35
29/04/23EAG6Gd9-36
24/03/23MOO6GS9-35
02/10/22LON5VSft9-1114
Longchamp - October 01 2022
Longchamp 15:25
9(6)
Barry McHugh

Tees Spirit

J: Barry McHugh
T: Adrian Nicholls
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-11
OR: N/A
Days: 37

One of two for trainer Adrian Nicholls. Tee Spirit is his most ‘fancied’ runner out of the pair. A 5f specialist who has previously won five races over this distance. He is on for another three timer here but lacks the experience required for such a race.

Hard to fancy.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
09/09/23HAY5Gd8-72
25/08/23YOR5GF9-1315
12/08/23ASC5Gd9-79
04/06/23CHA5Gd9-512
21/05/23NAA5Gd9-126
Longchamp - October 01 2022
Longchamp 15:25
10(17)
Frankie Dettori

Ponntos

J: Frankie Dettori
T: Miroslav Nieslanik
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-11
OR: N/A
Days: 21

Has been victorious over course and distance once before but that seemed a bit of a one off as he won at 25/1 that day. Usually acts on good to firm ground and may not get those conditions at Longchamp.

Dettori gets the ride but looks a very tough assignment for him.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
10/09/23LON5GS9-12
26/08/23MOS6Gd9-41
04/08/23GOO5GS9-46
04/06/23CHA5Gd9-58
17/03/23FNT5.5Sft9-63
Longchamp - October 01 2022
Longchamp 15:25
12(13)
Ryan Moore

New York City

J: Ryan Moore
T: A P O'Brien
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-11
OR: N/A
Days: 21

Aidan O’Brien sends over New York City with top jockey Ryan Moore taking the ride. He is a big price but there is a reason for that.

Has shown nothing in Group Three and more recently Group One races.Aidan might have him tuned up for this so could be one to make an each way bid.

Never rule out this trainers horses in Group One company.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
06/01/23MEY5Gd9-312
02/10/22LON5VSft9-116
11/09/22CUR5Sft9-54
19/08/22YOR5GF9-1312
06/08/22CUR6Gd9-36
Longchamp - October 01 2022
Longchamp 15:25
13(3)
Jason Hart

Mo Celita

J: Jason Hart
T: Adrian Nicholls
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-7
OR: N/A
Days: 16

Trainer, Adrian Nicholls second runner and the biggest outsider of the 19 runner field. Her only positive run this season was in a weak looking Class One event at Doncaster where she finished second behind Manaccan.

Would be one of the biggest shocks of the meeting if this filly was to pose any threat to her rivals and Nicholls other runner, Tees Spirit.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
30/10/22CHA6Sft8-1011
02/10/22LON5VSft9-74
16/09/22AYR5.5Gd9-24
07/09/22DON5Gd9-102
27/08/22NMK6Gd8-126
Longchamp - October 01 2022
Longchamp 15:25
2(14)
Jamie Spencer

Castle Star

J: Jamie Spencer
T: J A Stack
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-11
OR: N/A
Days: 21

This 3 year old colt showed positive signs as a 2 year old but he has not seemed to have trained on this campaign. In his last two runs, he has not even finished in the placings.

This proves he is not up to challenging other rivals in Group One company.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
21/05/23NAA5Gd9-99
15/10/22ASC6GS9-318
11/09/22CUR5Sft9-58
16/07/22CUR5Gd9-55
25/09/21NMK6GF9-02
Longchamp - October 01 2022
Longchamp 15:25
18(12)
Yutaka Take

Miramar

J: Yutaka Take
T: C & Y Lerner
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-7
OR: N/A
Days: 21

A 3 year old French filly who prefers 6f so 5f here at Longchamp may not be her cup of tea.

Has raced in big fields before but there is no form to prove that she will cause any sort of threat to rivals.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
11/09/22LON5Sft8-115
28/08/22DEA6Gd8-119
07/08/22DEA6.5GS8-109
17/06/22ASC6GF8-135
20/04/22CHA5.5Gd8-101
Longchamp - October 01 2022
Longchamp 15:25
1(4)
Tom Marquand

Caturra

J: Tom Marquand
T: Clive Cox
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-11
OR: N/A
Days: 21

A useful son of Mehmas but that good form was frequent in 2021. Has not shown signs of progression so far this year and has a lot to do in order to improve for this Group One.

May remain with potential but unlikely, Tom Marquand gets the ride which could be interesting.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
11/09/22CUR5Sft9-514
29/07/22GOO5GF9-03
09/07/22YOR5GF8-108
11/06/22SAN5Gd9-73
21/05/22HAY6Gd9-25
Longchamp - October 01 2022
Longchamp 15:25
3(11)
Shane Foley

Moss Tucker

J: Shane Foley
T: K J Condon
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-11
OR: N/A
Days: 37

Trainer K J Condon’s second runner in this and one that is an outsider. Has ran in weak looking races over in Ireland so cannot make a case for in this field.

Totally opposable.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
12/08/23CUR6Gd9-71
22/07/23CUR5Sft9-93
27/05/23CUR6Gd9-56
21/05/23NAA5Gd9-122
24/04/23NAA5Sft/Hy9-121
Longchamp - October 01 2022
Longchamp 15:25
17(9)
William Buick

Flotus

J: William Buick
T: Simon & Ed Crisford
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-7
OR: N/A
Days: 21

She showed signs of progression just before she turned 3 then carried that on by placing in a Group One at Ascot. She was huge odds of 40/1 that day.

The filly was then successful in a York Group Three beating the ever consistent Adaay To Remember and Gale Force Maya.

May find this a step too far but with William Buick riding, she cannot be written off.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
02/10/22LON5VSft9-710
11/09/22CUR5Sft9-23
19/08/22YOR5GF9-1010
08/07/22YOR6GF9-01
17/06/22ASC6GF8-133
Longchamp - October 01 2022
Longchamp 15:25
16(1)
Clifford Lee

White Lavender

J: Clifford Lee
T: K R Burke
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-7
OR: N/A
Days: 21

Trainer Karl Burke has a runner in this but White Lavender has not been up to much in previous Group races.

She finished sixth of ten other rivals at Haydock and then showed nothing over course and distance last time out.

Easy to dismiss.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
22/07/23CUR5Sft9-65
14/05/23LON5VSft9-01
21/04/23BAT5GS9-89
02/10/22LON5VSft9-72
11/09/22LON5Sft8-104
Longchamp - October 01 2022
Longchamp 15:25
8(15)
David Egan

Mitbaahy

J: David Egan
T: Roger Varian
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-11
OR: N/A
Days: 15

A consistent performer over 5f and trainer, Roger Varian looks to have a very talented colt on his hands.

Was victorious in Class Two and Class One events then ran well at Sandown finishing a neck behind Raasel.Won his first Group Three last time out at Newbury and may be hitting serious form yet again.

Jockey and trainer in flying form so one to keep an eye on.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
06/08/23CHS6Sft9-51
22/07/23NBY6GS9-98
20/06/23ASC5Gd9-78
27/05/23HAY5GF9-65
02/10/22LON5VSft9-118
Longchamp - October 01 2022
Longchamp 15:25
19(7)
Hollie Doyle

The Platinum Queen

J: Hollie Doyle
T: Richard Fahey
N/A
Age: 2
Weight: 8-4
OR: N/A
Days: 21

This 2 year old filly has excited a lot of racegoers as she shows plenty of speed in her races. Out of six career starts, she has won three and came second in two.

She blitzed the rest of the field at Goodwood in July as she won by 4 lengths.Got beat in the Nunthorpe by the superstar, Highfield Princess but that was no mean defeat as that winner went on to win again so form racks up.

Deserves a Group One success and that could well come here. Worthy favourite.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
04/11/22KEE5.5Fm8-711
02/10/22LON5VSft8-41
11/09/22DON5Sft9-02
19/08/22YOR5GF8-22
27/07/22GOO5GF9-21