1st-Oct-2023

I am backing Rosallion in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

You have to allow him his run in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster last time, but you easily can.  The ground was soft that day, it obviously blunted his speed, but he still kept on bravely to finish third, after getting a smack of a whip across the nose from a rival.

Richard Hannon’s horse is far better judged on the performance that he put up in winning a listed race at Ascot on King George day, on just the second run of his life.  He was seriously impressive in winning that day, coming four lengths clear of Al Musmak, who won a listed race at Haydock next time and finished second in the Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket yesterday.  Also, the fourth and fifth horses that day are three from three between them since.  That looks like really strong juvenile form.

Rosallion should be much happier on the good or fast ground that he will encounter today.  Seven furlongs is his trip, and Sean Levey knows him well.  A lower draw would have been preferable, but his high draw is more than accommodated by his odds.

ROSALLION WON (ADV 4/1, SP 9/2)