The Bottom Line
- Drazinda (13:33) — 13/8 — Royal Ascot experience should tell in the Listed Prix de la Vallee d’Auge.
- Uthred (12:58) — 2/1 — the one to beat in the Group 3 Prix de Reux on soft ground.
- Victoire Magique (16:07) — around 3/1 — sets the standard in the Listed Prix Michel Houyvet.
- Haditouni (17:15) — last-time-out winner who can defy the handicapper again under Mikael Barzalona.
Meeting Context
Deauville’s glorious August festival hits top gear this weekend, and while Sunday belongs to the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, Saturday’s eight-race card (12:58–17:15 UK time) is a cracker in its own right, headed by the Group 3 Prix de Reux and three Listed contests.
The going on the Normandy coast is officially Soft, which puts a real premium on stamina and proven ground form. On the straight course a high draw has historically carried an edge, worth remembering in the two big-field handicaps.
France Galop bill the juvenile races as a glimpse of “the next generation”, and the Listed Prix de la Vallee d’Auge has the look of a genuine Franco-British clash, with five of the eight runners trained in Britain. British terrestrial viewers get their ITV fix at Ascot for Shergar Cup day and Haydock’s Rose of Lancaster card, but Deauville is live on Sky Sports Racing throughout. All odds correct at time of writing.
12:58 Prix de Reux (Group 3, 1m4f94y)
| No | Horse | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uthred | A Madamet | 2/1 |
| 4 | Parachutiste | M Barzalona | 2/1 |
| 2 | Tenability | P C Boudot | 11/4 |
| 5 | Oracle | M Guyon | 7/2 |
| 3 | Presage Nocturne | C Demuro | — |
| 6 | Mazzala | A Pouchin | — |
The Favourites: A six-runner Group 3 but a deep one. Uthred and Parachutiste share favouritism at 2/1, the latter a decent second in the Group 2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil last time.
The Value: Presage Nocturne won well in a Listed race at Lyon Parilly in late June and his connections are eyeing an Australian trip later in the year — he is not here for a day out.
The Verdict: Uthred to see out the mile and a half strongly on soft ground, with Parachutiste the danger.
13:33 Prix de la Vallee d’Auge (Listed, 2yo, 4f213y)
| No | Horse | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drazinda | M Barzalona | 13/8 |
| 2 | Social Symbol | C Demuro | 15/8 |
| 3 | Kentucky Rain | P C Boudot | 3/1 |
| 4 | Roxelina | M Guyon | — |
| 5 | La Belle Isola | A Hamelin | — |
| 6 | Vollering | Pierre-Louis Jamin | — |
| 7 | Army Women | T Bachelot | — |
| 8 | Terminology | C Soumillon | — |
The Favourites: The raiding party is strong — five of the eight are British-trained. Drazinda made a winning debut before finding Royal Ascot a little too much on just her second start, then showed improved form when runner-up.
The Value: Kentucky Rain at 3/1 is the one the market could be underestimating if the favourite bounces off the soft ground.
The Verdict: Drazinda — the Ascot experience should stand her in good stead back over the minimum trip.
14:15 Prix de Bayeux Handicap (7f209y)
| No | Horse | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saxon Village | L Boisseau | — |
| 3 | Montgaudry | C Soumillon | — |
| 4 | Marharry | M Guyon | — |
| 5 | Amidargent | P C Boudot | — |
| 7 | Honey Pearl | C Demuro | — |
| 8 | Wicked | M Barzalona | — |
| 13 | Makarov | T Bachelot | — |
| 14 | Goldfield | S Pasquier | — |
Plus seven others in a 15-runner field; Cosmo Beau is a non-runner.
The Favourites: Saxon Village heads the market after winning gamely in a Class 2 handicap at Compiegne last time and holds strong claims of following up off a similar mark.
The Value: Montgaudry is interesting with Christophe Soumillon booked, and a high draw is a plus over this trip.
The Verdict: Saxon Village to complete the double.
14:50 Prix de Crevecoeur (Unraced 2yo Colts, 7f100y)
| No | Horse | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mayfair Time | A Pouchin | — |
| 3 | East And West | T Bachelot | — |
| 5 | Critical Thinker | P C Boudot | — |
| 6 | Sidewalkofbroadway | C Soumillon | — |
| 7 | Charged | M Barzalona | — |
| 8 | Fahrenheit | C Demuro | — |
| 9 | Tortsanlot | M Guyon | — |
| 10 | Gouyar | J Moutard | — |
Plus three others in an 11-strong field of newcomers.
The Favourites: This iconic race for unraced colts has launched plenty of stars. Critical Thinker, from the Andre Fabre powerhouse, is the obvious starting point on pedigree and stable strength.
The Value: Market moves are the best guide with debutants — watch for support for East And West.
The Verdict: Mayfair Time gets a tentative vote, but keep stakes sensible with unraced juveniles.
15:32 Prix des Marettes (Unraced 2yo Fillies, 7f100y)
| No | Horse | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Lailissa | M Barzalona | — |
| 3 | Gemini | C Demuro | — |
| 7 | Sucre Nabat | P C Boudot | — |
| 9 | Mayra | C Soumillon | — |
| 10 | Muhara Moon | A Pouchin | — |
| 12 | Kritic | M Guyon | — |
Plus six others in a 12-runner field of first-timers.
The Favourites: The fillies’ companion race to the Crevecoeur, and every trainer here dreams of uncovering a future champion. Sucre Nabat, a daughter of Dubawi, should know her business first time and will be in the firing line.
The Value: Gemini is the watch-out on paddock inspection and money.
The Verdict: Sucre Nabat — the Dubawi filly looks the class act on paper.
16:07 Prix Michel Houyvet (Listed, 3yo, 1m6f200y)
| No | Horse | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poker | Pierre-Louis Jamin | — |
| 2 | Barzambition | M Barzalona | — |
| 3 | Box Officer | T Bachelot | — |
| 5 | Victoire Magique | C Demuro | — |
| 6 | Aeronef | M Guyon | — |
| 8 | Maria Apollonia | P C Boudot | — |
Plus three others in a nine-runner field.
The Favourites: A marathon Listed test for three-year-old stayers over 3,000 metres, and often a St Leger-style pointer for French staying types. Victoire Magique sets a very good standard on his latest performance and rates the one they all need to beat.
The Value: Box Officer is next best and soft ground stretches stamina to the limit here.
The Verdict: Victoire Magique — a confident selection in a race that is all about getting home.
16:42 Prix Isola Bella (Listed, Fillies & Mares, 7f100y)
| No | Horse | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Mandala | C Soumillon | — |
| 2 | Canneza | P C Boudot | — |
| 4 | True Test | M Barzalona | — |
| 6 | Moonlabel | A Pouchin | — |
| 8 | Dachkova | Aurelien Lemaitre | — |
| 9 | Abbey Road | C Demuro | — |
| 10 | Sonatine | M Guyon | — |
Plus three others in a 10-runner field on the straight course.
The Favourites: Dachkova just found one too good last time out and will be looking to go one better now she steps up in trip.
The Value: La Mandala from stall one is respected with Soumillon aboard, while Sonatine cannot be discounted for Maxime Guyon.
The Verdict: Dachkova to break through at Listed level.
17:15 Prix de Crepon Handicap (7f209y)
| No | Horse | Jockey | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Nadir | C Soumillon | — |
| 5 | Soleil Suisse | S Pasquier | — |
| 8 | Steady Success | P C Boudot | — |
| 9 | Mon Black Du Livet | J Moutard | — |
| 10 | Haditouni | M Barzalona | — |
| 13 | Royal Shake | Eddy Hardouin | — |
| 15 | Hartwood Man | A Pouchin | — |
| 16 | Light Wakeup | D Santiago | — |
Plus eight others in a competitive 16-runner finale where a high draw is an advantage.
The Favourites: Haditouni put his hooves in all the right places when landing victory last time out and Mikael Barzalona keeps the ride.
The Value: Mon Black Du Livet is worth a second look each-way at a bigger price in this big-field cavalry charge.
The Verdict: Haditouni to sign off the card in style for punters.
Accumulator
Our four-timer to warm up for Maurice de Gheest Sunday: Uthred (12:58), Drazinda (13:33), Victoire Magique (16:07) and Haditouni (17:15). At around 2/1, 13/8 and an estimated 3/1 and 4/1 for the last two legs, the accumulator pays in the region of 150/1.
If Saturday whets your appetite, there is top-class action across the Channel too — see our Newmarket Sweet Solera preview for the pick of the British Group action.
Please gamble responsibly. 18+, BeGambleAware.org.
