Ascoli Piceno Brings Global Form to Jacques le Marois
It is potentially a sign of the confusion that surrounds the mile division in Europe that those with established group form at the trip are being somewhat shunned in the market for the Aug. 17 Prix Jacques le Marois (G1), favor instead falling on the untapped potential of the Coolmore partners’ The Lion In Winter and the intriguing global form of Ascoli Piceno .
It’s easy to see where the allure lies. The Lion In Winter has had a much better preparation for this than the rushed road to the Epsom Derby (G1), in which he finished 14th, and showed plenty of zip when beaten little more than a neck in the Prix Jean Prat (G1) by Woodshauna , who franked the form in chasing home Sajir in the biggest sprint of the Deauville summer last weekend.
“Everything has gone well with The Lion In Winter since the last day and everybody is very happy,” trainer Aidan O’Brien said. “We think he’s progressed nicely at home and we’re expecting a good run. The last day was really a prep for the Marois. We were just getting him ready.
“It was a rush to get him to the Dante. We knew he was just about ready to start off in that. Then he went to the Derby and he didn’t stay, so the last day was just a case of getting him back on the right track. We were delighted with him there and we think that stepping back up to the mile will suit him well.
If you were to be hypercritical of The Lion In Winter, he still took time to hit top gear and, even over an extra furlong, if a rival were to skip clear two out, it’s easy to envisage him just running out of road again.
Sunday Racing’s Ascoli Piceno brings excellent form over seven furlongs and a mile having won the 1351 Turf Sprint (G2T) and Victoria Mile (G1) already this year, and the question with her is whether she can handle a straight track. The choice of running more or less straight off the plane is an intriguing one.
Trainer Yoichi Kuroiwa elected to travel quite late to France, rather than the traditional long stay ahead of many Japanese Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (G1) bids, and has been pleased with Ascoli Piceno’s buildup.
“She is in good form and didn’t lose much weight through traveling,” Kuroiwa said. “We breezed on the Piste des Lions on Wednesday to sharpen her up as Chantilly is a very nice and quiet environment for horses. Everything has gone well.”
Even the market’s third choice, Godolphin’s Notable Speech , has tried something different in the July Cup Stakes (G1), and it’s hard to escape the feeling that the established, solid milers are being overlooked.
Docklands has a terrific record up the Ascot straight and while this is faster and flatter, it’s a specialism which is dangerous to ignore.
Dancing Gemini was only just run out of it by Lead Artist in the Lockinge Stakes (G1) and has been given a break since running below expectations in a funny renewal of the Queen Anne Stakes (G1).
Were he to strike at group 1 level it would be far from out of turn.
Zabiari , Go to First, King Gold , Diego Velazquez , and Ridari round out the field.
