Longchamp preview: Qatar Prix de l’Abbaye (15.40)
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Goldream looks to have plenty going form him in a wide open renewal of the Group 1 Qatar Prix de l’Abbaye run over the flying 5f at Longchamp (15.40).
The Robert Cowell trained gelding has some decent form ton his name in hot handicaps last season, and showed improved form to make a winning return to action in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes at Doncaster.
Goldream was then not at his best when well-beaten in a Group 2 at Haydock, but bounced back to form in no uncertain terms when producing a career-best effort to land the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The six-year-old showed plenty of pace to chase the leaders before throwing down a strong challenge from the furlong marker to get up close home and beat Medicean Man by a short-head.
There was lots to like about the way Goldream dug deep and battled on gamely and he finished in front of several of his rivals in this, including Muthmir and Sole Power.
Goldream then lost little in defeat last time out when a staying on 4 3/4 length fifth of 19 to Mecca’s Angel in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York on soft ground which was totally unsuitable.
The return to a quicker surface will definitely be in Goldream’s favour, and another plus is that he has bagged a good draw in stall five.
Those two factors may well be enough to see him turn the tables on Mecca’s Angel, who has a nightmare car park draw of 19 to overcome.
Mecca’s Angel brings the strongest form into the contest, but is going to find life very difficult from such a high draw and all her best form has come on ground with cut in it.
For that reason I am keen to oppose, and a bigger danger to Goldream may well be the aforementioned Muthmir.
The William Haggas trained colt finished one place and 1 1/4 lengths behind the selection in the Nunthorpe, and like Goldream was unsuited by the soft ground.
Prior to that, the five-year-old had put up a smart performance when landing the Group 2 King George Stakes at Goodwood.
Muthmir, the son of Invincible Spirit, is a strong travelling sort who should be able to get a good pitch from stall six from which to tuck in behind the leaders and hopefully be produced late by jockey Paul Hanagan.
If the gaps appear at the right time, them Muthmir looks sure to go close.
Coral’s top tip: With the draw and ground going against Mecca’s Angel, Goldream looks good value to secure another success for “Sprint King” Robert Cowell.
