This looks tricky on the bare form given DARBUZAN beat both Monreal and Casterton by the narrowest of margins in a Group 3 contest over today’s trip at Saint-Cloud last time. But Mikel Delzangles’ charge looked more at home in the soft ground when winning at Deauville earlier and still looks the one to beat in this. A Group 2 winner over 1m4f, Ice Breeze ran below par in the Prix Niel here last time and steps up in trip along with UK challenger Call To Mind. The latter won a Listed event at Goodwood recently and the Haggas colt encounters soft ground for the first time today but the underfoot conditions will suit Soleil Marin as Andre Fabre’s charge looks to put a couple of poor efforts behind him.
Ice Breeze (9-2) 4th of 5, 8 1/2l behind Cracksman (9-2) at Chantilly 1m 4f Grp 2 stks gd in Sep.
Darbuzan (FR) (8-11) won at Saint-Cloud 1m 7f Grp 3 gd in Sep beating Monreal (8-11) by shd, 5 ran.
Soleil Marin (IRE) (9-2) last of 8, 15 1/4l behind Eminent (9-2) at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Call To Mind 11-4 (9-2) Tracked leaders, short of room after 2f, every chance from over 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Goodwood 1m 6f lst stks (1) gd in Aug beating Count Octave (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Casterton (IRE) (8-11) 3rd of 5, hd behind Darbuzan (8-11) at Saint-Cloud 1m 7f Grp 3 gd in Sep.
Boy Royal (FR) (8-12) won at Deauville 1m 7f stks sft in Aug beating Corcovado Mountain (8-12) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Monreal (IRE) (8-11) 2nd of 5, shd behind Darbuzan (8-11) at Saint-Cloud 1m 7f Grp 3 gd in Sep.
Lady Paname (FR) (8-12) 2nd of 10, 1l behind Sirrin (9-1) at Maisons-Laffitte 1m 6f lst stks sft in Sep.
Cap Verite (IRE) (8-10) won at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f lst stks gd in Sep beating Pleasant Surprise (8-10) by shd, 9 ran.
