2025 PRIX JEAN PRAT TIPS – RUNNER-BY-RUNNER
MARANOA CHARLIE (9/2)
Three-time winner as a juvenile from four starts and 2-3 this term, most recently winning over this trip at Longchamp in the Prix Paul de Moussac where the Wootton Bassett colt finished two lengths ahead of reopposing Silius. Christopher Head’s charge wore a hood that day for the first time and it drew out an improved performance from the trailblazer who made all and won easily. Has proven himself versatile trip-wise with wins between 6f and one mile, and he’s well suited by soft ground although all his races have come at a lesser level and he’ll need to improve again stepping up to the top grade. His win last time did suggest there was more in the locker and he could progress again so no surprise to see him feature.SHADOW OF LIGHT (2/1 FAV)
Winner of four of his five starts as a juvenile, including the Dewhurst at Newmarket on his final start. Charlie Appleby’s charge is chasing a first win of the current campaign, having been beaten on both starts thus far. The Lope De Vega colt possibly found one mile stretching him when fading late on in the 2000 Guineas, eventually finishing third and six furlongs on quick ground might just have proven too sharp for him at Royal Ascot recently when finishing fifth in the Commonwealth Cup. That was a solid performance nonetheless and a return to seven furlongs on softer ground on which he’s won twice may prove ideal for the Godolphin runner. With his yard in good form at present, he rates the one to beat.COSMIC YEAR (10/3)
Won his sole start as a juvenile and 2-3 this term, improving with every run and lost his unbeaten record when finding only the top-class Field Of Gold too good in the Irish 2000 Guineas. 3-3 previously over this trip, that was his first try at one mile, and there was no disgrace in finishing runner-up to his classy rival, who has since won a Group One at Royal Ascot to give that form substance. He didn’t help himself by racing keenly at the Currag,h and he looked awkward under pressure, but kept on well without matching the winner. He’s unproven on soft ground but won’t find the drop back to seven furlongs an issue, and open to progress, he could make his presence felt.THE LION IN WINTER (8/1)
Dual-winner as a juvenile but hasn’t quite progressed this term as hoped, upped significantly in trip, and the return to seven furlongs could prove a shrewd move for Aidan O’Brien’s charge. Both juvenile wins last term came at the distance, and having looked as if he might come on for the run when sent off favourite for the Dante Stakes he flopped in the Epsom Derby when last seen, perhaps failing to cope with the undulating track and a lack of stamina for the longer trip both plausible excuses for his dismal run. The Sea The Stars colt is on something of a recovery mission now and the return to this trip may show him in a much better light, although he does have to prove effectiveness on soft ground, having done all his running on good ground thus far. His master trainer could pull out a revival, and he’s certainly one to watch, but given his two dismal runs this term, he is a risky proposition in that he’ll show his best.WOODSHAUNA (15/2)
Won once from two outings as a juvenile and has progressed this term to win two of his four outings this term, most recently a Group Three at Chantilly when beating subsequent Commonwealth Cup winner Time For Sandals in the Texanita Stakes. That win came on soft ground, although it was over six furlongs and he had previously tried seven here in April when beaten into third by Maranoa Charlie who reopposes here. The Wooded colt travelled well into that race and for a time he looked a big threat to the winner, but his run flattened out towards the end and it is possible the trip might just have stretched him. He did turn the tables with that rival next time, but he is perhaps better suited to sprints and others might hold too many guns for him over this trip.CACOFONIX (40/1)
One win from four starts last term and having moved yards he has returned to register further success at Longchamp in May on his second start for Ecurie Yann Barberot. That win did come at a significantly lower level than the Lope De Vega colt finds himself in now, although the third home from that last-time victory did boost the form on his next outing. However, he needs to find a fair chunk of improvement to feature thrust into a Group One. He does handle the ground and the distance will be no issue. He’s 0-2 at this venu,e however and was beaten 13 lengths in a Group Three as a juvenile. He looks to have a lot to do to get involved here.SILIUS (18/1)
The most experienced runner in the field, having had eleven career starts, five of them wins, although all at a much lower level than this. Christophe Ferland’s Dubawi colt won three times over the winter in bottomless ground at Cagnes-Sur-Mer, which included a Listed contest, although he’s since been beaten twice in Group Three company including latest at Longchamp when finding reopposing Maranoa Charlie too good in the Prix Paul de Moussac. While that was a solid run, he was beaten fair and square by that rival and there’s no real reason to think he can improve sufficiently to reverse that form with Christopher Head’s charge, let alone win a Group One.DAYLIGHT (25/1)
Two wins from six outings as a juvenile at a lower level, but the Earthlight filly did manage to place in a pair of Group One races, including the Cheveley Park Stakes behind Lake Victoria. Patrice Cottier’s charge shaped as if she’d be better for the run following her reappearance third here in April but shaped as if the distance caught her out when fading into seventh in the French 1000 Guineas back in May. She’s shown soft ground holds no fears, and she’s a past course winner as well as twice being placed here, including in a Group One last term. Whether she truly sees out seven furlongs is a slight question mark and she could prove at her best at sprint trips. However, in receipt of weight, she could post a big run if seeing out the distance, and the Earthlight filly could sneak a place if lasting home for all improvement is also required.APOLLO FOUNTAIN (66/1)
Listed course winner as a juvenile on good ground but 0-4 this term at a lesser level than what’s required to be competitive here. Andre Fabre’s No Nay Never filly posted her last run over the minimum trip at Chantilly last month where she could only manage fourth to Spartan Arrow in a Listed race. That is well below what’s required and she looks out of her depth here.Prix Jean Prat Prediction
A strong challenge from UK and Ireland for this valuable French prize. The Lion In Winter is on a recovery mission and could be sparked into life, dropping back markedly in trip; while Cosmic Year has the form in the book to go close but is unproven on soft ground. That’s not the case for SHADOW OF LIGHT (2/1) who has won twice in the mud and will be suited going back to seven furlongs on easier ground having likely found the ground too quick at Royal Ascot when last seen. Despite the defeat, he did turn in a very creditable performance over a trip arguably too sharp and turning out over seven furlongs now on these underfoot conditions, can see Charlie Appleby’s charge resume winning ways. French filly DAYLIGHT (25/1, EW) has some decent course form to her name and was stretched by the French 1000 Guineas trip last time. She looks more of a sprinter and may be better over shorter trips, but if seeing out seven furlongs at this relatively easy track then she could sneak a place at a decent price.Prix Jean Prat Betting Tips
- SHADOW OF LIGHT to win (11/4 with bet365)
- DAYLIGHT each-way (40/1 with BetVictor)
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