Argentan – France – Sunday 2 November 2014
Some of France’s leading drivers have assembled at Argentan for this Sunday’s drivers challenge against their Irish counterparts and visitors to the Normandy track.
Top ten French drivers competing in the race include – David Thomain, Thierry Duvaldstein, Jean-Loic-Claude Dersoir, Max Bezier and leading driver Franck Nivard – all names that would not be out of place in a Group One race at Vincennes!
The race is over 2800m for six year old and a Grade F provincial level event from behind the mobile (autostart). It is quite a strong race.
- (1) Ugolin du Goutier (Sean Kane) fills a place in minor country track races
- (2) Urfist Dolucio David Thomain driving but will need to do more
- (3) Yankee’s Photo is a Norwegian horse having his first run in France and whilst he hasn’t won since August 2012 has been filling a place on a regular basis
- (4) Uztancia D’Oeuvre won at Bordeaux in March and is a second in a race one above this two starts back and whilst is not all that consistent this race may suit especially from the drawn and dersoir to drive
- (5) Unshara won at this level three starts back and then failed next two so could surprise but others appear to have a stronger chance
- (6) Orgoglio Del Nord(Martin Loughran) is a former Italian that has been racing in far stronger races up to G3 level and although finishing down the track could easier improve dropping to this level
- (7) Une Oka (Anthony Malone) last win at La Capelle was in a stronger grade of race in May and has filled a place on occasions since but is dropping in grade for this race so could make a rapid improvement and shouldn’t be dismissed
- (8) Ultotte De Tagor (Alan Wallace) won at Caen in June recording a PB that day and has been consistent in stronger races since however form has drifted past few starts but this level could see an improvement
- (9) Ultra De Crennes (Joseph Caffrey) last won in January 2013 and has had plenty of stays since with an occasional place but usually mid-field finishes
- (10) Utopie Nonantaise may have Franck Nivard to drive but will need to improve on recent starts at this and in lower level races where she has been finishing down the track
- (11) Ursula Star (Patrick Kane) won a claimer in mid-September and best is a fourth three runs since and more will be needed
- (12) Un Ksar Du Marias (Billy Roche) is a winner three starts ago at Dieppe in a higher grade of race and then followed that up with a third before failing at Amiens last time and he is suited to this race and should improve
- (13) Ulysse Gilaudiere has won or been placed past seven races in better races and on current form is the horse to beat
- (14) Uranie De Reals (John Richardson) is a maiden after more than fifty starts and it is more than twelve months since he filled a place
- (15) Urfa Du Dane hasn’t won since July 2012 and has been placed only one since with current mid-field finishes
- (16) Urban Dream is racing well and consistently with multiple wins and placing’s this season and at this level of race can be in the finish
Summary
This is a good, competitive race with (13) ULYSSE GILAUDIERE having the form on the board and is the one to beat. Other chances include (7) UNE OKA and (16) URBAN DREAM. Both (8) ULTOTTE DE TAGOR and (12) UN KSAR DU MARIAS can be expected to improve. This is the easiest race (6) ORGOGLIO DEL NORD has contested since arriving from Italy whilst the Norwegian (3) YANKEE’S PHOTO is having his first start in France and could go well based on his form.
