Nice run again from Rashford but needs further, I'm sure he's a 12f horse.. doing best work at the finish but let the first 2 get away there..

German runners pulled out today..

off topic, not Zarak, but I hope Shavasana can make all in Rome tomorrow for the Italian 1000..  despite Vargiu going for the other one..

...and she did... shame we can't get a bet on these days..

PRIX SAINT-ALARY - CROWN PRINCESSE

A decent opportunity at the first Gp1 success and I have the tactics all worked out, having reviewed all the video form.

Hard to say JANNAH ROSE is not the one to beat. However the Gp3 win lto (7 ran over 1800m) with SEA THE LADY comfortably held in 2nd may have been a bit falsely run. The front 3 went off like scalded cats, and blew out, setting the race up big time for hold up runners. Having said that Jannah Rose had tactical pace and did not look short on stamina. I watched that replay trying to see if I could make a case for Sea the Lady reversing the places. Unlikely. Verdict there, Jannah Rose untroubled as the race played to her strenghths. Todays race and extra 200m and better and deeper opposition.

CROWN PRINCESSE's Gp3 win lto (8 ran 2100m) was her first on turf from 3 runs. Despite breaking prominently, she seemed to lack the pace to keep that position and drifted back to last turning into the straight looking caught flat footed with 700m to go. On straightening up she comes to life but suddenly there is a wall of horses in front. An unimpeded route at this point would imo have made her victory more eyecatching. Mendazibal waits and picks his way out wide before he asks for maximum effort. She delivers a sustained run from 350m. Actually looking back she was always a clear winner despite Elusive Princess getting to within 1/2 a length (re-opposes today). Heartache Tonight made the running that day and also re-opposes.

Today's race is a drop back to 2000m. Heartache Tonight is guaranteed to make the running. Anything leading her is going too fast. Crown Princess should run her race as if it were a match with Jannah Rose. Soumillon will be too cocky and head for a position held up towards the back of the field. Crown Princess if possible should try to sit 1 place IN FRONT of Jannah Rose wait for the 500m marker and duel it out as a battle of stamina. That seems to be a common trademark of the Zaraks and may win the day. Let's hope Soumillon finds a troubled run.

I will have a shilling on Crown Princess to win. No EW or place only for me but I will have another shilling on the forecast to be 2nd to Jannah Rose.

GOOD LUCK TO TEAM ZARAK.

ANALYSIS - hell of a run. Was hoping Princesse would be on the outside of the fav. Mendizabla in the right place but left with no option but to go inside and race for luck. Got none.

Pipped on he line for my forecast @ 10/1 too. Oh well another day.

No one expects Zarak The Brave to beat the favourite in the 4yo hurdle at Punchestown, he's had a bout of colic and an injury, so will likely need the run, but I have a feeling his season may not be over just yet.. in 3 weeks time is the French 4yo champion hurdle at Auteuil..  Mullins has won this before with a horse owned by Munir/Souede, and it's one they target so I'm thinking that may be his ultimate aim..  entries for that race mid May.

Above from Apr 29th, and yes he's got the entry in the gr. 1 Prix Alain du Breil on 21st May..  I hope he can cope with those Auteuil hurdles.   I think he has Losange Bleu to beat..

missed it

too busy watching the Xcountry chaos at Le Lion D'Angers

We will make a jumps aficionado out of you yet

I'll take a look at those replays...  it would take a lot of money to make me a jumps fan Mr M.. lol..

This will test your Sherlock skills - now you are a grandparent !!

No idea how I stumbled across this but it was a bit of a surprise. A Zelzal filly foal 16.01.23 out of the unraced Coeur de Crystal likely to be the first appearance of ZARAK as damsire. https://www.france-galop.com/fr/cheval/WDMxYWlMTngxanZUL2xCSW5PWWc2dz09

I have a few similar Adlerflugs flagged to follow and was collecting earlier today after Barzalona was in the right place for once. But you need to be eagle eyed going thru' the card to pick them up.

Anyhoo you have 2 years to worry about them, although this one being a 16th Jan foal, might be worth getting a price for the Brocklesby in 2025

Wow ! I've got a horse in Straight... 5 length winner of today's gr. 2 Union Rennen at Cologne over 2200m.. 1m 3f..  beating German Derby favourite Mr Hollywood..
Straight was hampered at the first bend, well behind by about 12 lengths, came from last to first to win going away..

Dam is Seductive by Henry The Navigator... Seductive is half sister to another Zarak called Sirjan, who I've been following this season.

I thought Mr Hollywood was unbeatable in Germany... I'm shocked and delighted..

Just updating on behalf of Adelaide..

Zarak gets his first gr. 1 winner with Zagrey in the Grosser Preis von Baden today, getting up last stride in what turned out to be a sprint finish.   Zagrey from Zarak's first crop 2019..

Great run too from Straight in 3rd, who might have won if he had kept.err. straight?..

Parnac, ex German trained, won the gr. 2 Flower Bowl at Saratoga yesterday. From the front !..

Zarak has done well this Spring in Paris.

Zarakem - Prix d'Harcourt gr.2
Haya Zark - Prix Ganay gr. 1
Metropolitan - Poule d'Essai des Poulains gr. 1

Zarak's first classic winner although he's had a couple in Eastern Europe, not in the pattern.

He should get better mares, he does well with mostly very modest types..  Metropolitan's dam by Halling, was unraced, as was her dam.

I hope Metropolitan gets 10F, I think he will later on.  The St. James's Palace Stakes likely his next race.

Zarak also has the best early 3yo hurdler in Nietsche Has, which I expect will end up with Mullins before the year is out.

Zaraks do not appear to do well in Australia so far, and imo, should not be sent there.

Zarak is now coming into his own as a stallion, especially in France.