Qatar Jean Luc Lagardere Group 1 2YO Colts and Fillies

                                                  Jean Luc Lagardere Group One


A group one open to Colts and Filles over seven furlongs which usually produces a top notch winner with the likes of Oratorio, Holy Roman Emporer and Rio De La Plata amongst the recent victors. Although it must be noted that it hasn't produced a classic winner since American Post who took this in 2003, two years after the race's best recent winner Rock of Gibraltar. This years race took a blow when crack juvenile Kingman was withdrawn with War Command another notable absentee but it still rates as an interesting affair

Al Muthana- Half brother to Libranno who comes here looking pretty exposed having had 5 runs. Only seventh in the Morny and a disappointing fifth in a group 3 at Chantilly last time which means it is isn't difficult to look elsewhere

Charm Spirit- Freddy Head Colt who was a winner of a four runner conditions race over course and distance last time. Probably entitled to win that day but did it well from the front, asserting late on for a comfortable win. The runner up is not one of the stars from the Andre Fabre team and will have to improve to take a hand here but still unexposed and represents top connections

Noozhoh Canarias- Spanish son of 2006 Foret winner Caradak who comes here unbeaten in three. Won his first two starts in his native Spain before heading to La Teste De Buch for a listed contest last time where he won readily by 3 lengths having made all. Hasn't run for over two months but his form has to be well respected and he looks a big player

Wilshire Boulevard- Only representative from Aiden O Brien who has won this race 7 times since 1997 and has to be respected for that fact alone. Certainly not one of the barns star juveniles but still comes here rated 110 having been narrowly beaten in the Gimcrack last time. A hardy sort who is sure to give his running but it will be disappointing should he prove good enough to win

Outstrip- Godolphin raider who has only found Toormore too good in his 3 runs do far. Was wildly impressive last time when readily dismissing two 108 rated juveniles by an easy 3 lengths at Doncaster. That form looks solid with the third a reliable yardstick and certainly looks one of the likelier ones here

Another Party- A winner of his first three races, disqualified on second start, at conditions level, he has found the step up to group level difficult to bridge. Has ran with credit to be placed twice in Group 3 company but was put in his place by today's rival Noozhoh Canarias by over 6 lengths on his penultimate start and it is difficult to see him reversing the form here

Karakontie- Looks the best of the home challenge having only met defeat once in his 3 run career to date. That was at the hands of the Chesham runner up Bunker, going down by a short head in a listed contest at Deauville. That is up there with the best form on offer in todays field but he probably improved on it last time when taking a Group 3 over course and distance, beating a Fabre hot pot into 2nd. Needs to be taken very seriously for his English trainer

Barley Mow- Represents last years winning connections but doesn't bring the standard of form that Olympic Glory possessed on arrival last year. A narrow winner of a maiden on debut, runner up beaten at odds on since, before being put in his place by Be Ready at Doncaster. It may turn out in time that he ran into a good one that day but as it stands he has it all to prove at this level

Baby Foot- Footstepsinthesand colt who lost his unbeaten record last time, going down by a short head in a listed contest at Deauville. The form of that race looks weak enough in the context of this event and the presence of Lingfield maiden winner Double Point in fourth, beaten 2.5 lengths, holds down the form. Would rate an unlikely winner for mine

Verdict- With the absence of Kingman and War Command this group one contest has an open feel to it, with any number of unexposed Colts looking capable of fighting out the finish. I have sided with Karakonite whose form in his last two runs demands he be taken very seriously. The main danger appears to be Spanish raider Noozhoh Canarias who arrives here unbeaten in three and impressed on his French debut last time. He will likely be a value play on the UK markets due to his understated connections. Outstrip was mightily impressive last time and has to be respected but the formative markets have him crudely short and he can be opposed on value grounds alone

1 Karakontie
2 Noozhoh Canarias
3 Outstrip