After beating Grande Star at Angers in November, Genola was sent to Cheltenham on New Year’s Day and far from disgraced. She may offer more value than stablemate Gannat, who carries a Grade 1 penalty after springing a surprise in the Prix Jacques de Vienne over course and distance in the autumn when Goldie Star was only sixth. FARAFRA’s bumper form stands up the closest scrutiny, especially her victory in Grade 2 here in October when Fatima De Clerval was well beaten. She goes well fresh and is unlikely to be far away again.
Gannat (FR) (9-12) won at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f Grp 1 hvy in Nov beating Gant De Velours (10-1) by 1l, 9 ran.
Fatima De Clerval (FR) (10-1) 6th of 7, 16 1/4l behind Farafra (9-10) at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f Grp 2 hvy in Oct.
Farafra (FR) (10-6) 6th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Festinette (10-6) at Angers 1m 7f hvy in Nov.
Goldie Star (FR) (9-12) 6th of 9, 8 3/4l behind Gannat (9-12) at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f Grp 1 hvy in Nov.
Genola (FR) 8-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, edged left and went 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 16, 1/2l behind Audacity (10-12) at Cheltenham 1m 6f lst (1) sft in Jan.
Gerline (FR) (10-3) at Auteuil 2m 1f sft in Mar.
Grande Star (FR) (10-5) 5th of 8, 14 1/4l behind Ginger Du Val (10-7) at Pornichet 1m 4f stks pol in Dec.
Finnda Dancer (FR) (9-9) 4th of 6, 8 1/4l behind Gepetto (10-3) at Pornichet 1m 7f stks pol in Mar.