The 2013 Prix Jacques Les Marois looks a thrilling renewal and is already looking like the race of the season. This race run at a mile has been won by some of Europe's best horses including Excelebration, Goldikova, Makfi, Dubawi, Dubai Millenium, Manduro, Whipper, Six Perfections. Since it was first established in 1921 only two horses have won this prestigious Group 1 twice the champion Miesque (1987,1988) and Spinning World (1996,1997).
This year's renewal features an all star lineup including Group 1 winners Dawn Approach, Moonlight Cloud, Intello, Declaration Of War, Elusive Kate & Olympic Glory.
Dawn Approach has established himself as one of Europe's best milers and was somewhat unlucky when he was overhauled by Toronado in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes, before that he had been unbeaten at a mile. The colt pleased connections with a piece of work on Wednesday morning and connections feel optimistic at a trip to France. This will probably be his most toughest task to date.
Intello looks a serious colt and before his luckless run in the French 2,000 guineas he had been unbeaten but set the record straight with a decisive win the Group 1 French Derby stamping his authority among the three year old elite colts in France. A son of the all conquering Galileo, Intello should be a tough nut to crack in this race and I really like his chances for the Arc.
Moonlight Cloud is now the best mare in training in the world thanks to her decisive victory in the Prix Maurice De Gheest Group 1. This was the mares third consecutive victory in the race and she put dual Group 1 winning sprinter Lethal Force in his place. Moonlight Cloud is a serious quality mare and she really battles to the line.
Elusive Kate is a three time Group 1 winner and was a very good winner of the Group 1 Prix Rothschild beating the highly regarded Duntle. This was her second consecutive year winning the race. She is well regarded by John Gosden and always performs with credit when she runs in France.
Declaration Of War got off the mark at the highest level when successive in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes having previously been 5th to Farhh in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes. Declaration Of War was 2nd to Al Kazeem in the Eclipse Stakes at 10F and was 3rd to Toronado in the Sussex Stakes just last week. He is a very good colt but he has failed to get his head in front. This is a highly quality field he is facing in France and he will need to be in his best form to fight it out with the top french horses Moonlight Cloud & Intello.
Olympic Glory may struggle in this company. He hasn't been in the same form he was as a juvenile when he captured the Group 1 Prix Jean Luc Lagardere. I can't see him troubling the big guns in this company.
The field may be completed by Group 2 winner Aljamaheer & Group 3 winner Leitir Mor who will more then likely set out the pace for his stable companion Dawn Approach. I think whichever horse triumphs in this race will most doubtedly be the best miler in Europe.
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