Deauville, 12.58 — 1m4½f, Group 2, fillies & mares, good ground
This is a Group 2 by designation but the five-runner field looks some way short of normal Group 2 strength. Rabbit's Foot sets a fairly clear standard and is the one they have to beat, although her current level is closer to Group 3 than a typical 120-level Group 2 performer on my private ratings.
Rabbit's Foot has the strongest body of form. She finished third in Group 1 company at Longchamp last October and returned to something like her best when winning over 1m4f at Chantilly in June. That form has received a significant boost from Tiffany subsequently winning at Group 1 level. The good ground and trip should hold no fears and a rating of 110 makes her the clear form choice.
Euboa is rated 106 and has enough back form to make her dangerous. Her third behind Aventure in a Longchamp Group 2 over 1m2½f in May was a good effort and the return to this longer distance could help. She was only fourth in a Vichy Group 3 last time, however, and needs to find something approaching her best.
Indalimos, rated 105, is another with credible Group form. She won a Deauville Group 3 over this sort of trip last season, beating subsequent Group 1 winner Consent as well as Rabbit's Foot. The balance has shifted since then, with Rabbit's Foot progressing past her, and Indalimos was well held when they met at Chantilly in June. She remains capable of getting involved if returning to her best.
The most interesting alternative to the favourite could be Karla Jet. Her 104 rating leaves her with something to find, but she is less exposed than most of these and arrives after winning a Listed race at Clairefontaine. That was her fourth victory from eight starts and represented her best performance so far. She needs another step forward, but she is one runner here who could plausibly produce it.
Zakharova completes the field and is rated 101. She has Listed-winning form and has run well on her last two starts, but her previous encounters with this sort of opposition suggest she needs improvement. The return to 1m4f is in her favour, though, and she should not be dismissed completely in such a small field.
The tactical shape is the main complication. With only five runners, there is an obvious possibility that this develops into a steadily run race in which position and acceleration matter more than stamina. That would reduce confidence in treating the finishing margins literally.
Private ratings
Horse| Rating
Rabbit's Foot| 110
Euboa| 106
Indalimos| 105
Karla Jet| 104
Zakharova| 101
Verdict
Rabbit's Foot has the best recent form and deserves to be favourite. Her Chantilly performance gives her a meaningful advantage over this field and she does not need to produce genuine Group 2 form to win.
Karla Jet is the potential improver and looks the most interesting threat if taking another step forward from her Clairefontaine success. Euboa and Indalimos have the established ability to feature but need to recover something close to their better form.
Selection: Rabbit's Foot
Main danger: Karla Jet
Pre-race race rating: 106
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