3:40 Deauville – Prix Rothschild (Group 1) (3yo+ Fillies & Mares) over 1m, straight, soft ground:
Race Title and Conditions + Pace Angles + Draw Angles
3:40 Deauville – Prix Rothschild (Group 1), 1m, soft ground, straight track.
- Pace Scenario: Moderate to strong pace expected. Likely pace from Crimson Advocate, Start Of Day, and Matilda, all of whom have raced prominently.
- Draw Angles: On the Deauville straight mile, the draw is often neutral, especially on soft. However, mid-to-high draws have fared marginally better in soft ground fields of 12+.
Strongest Contenders + Main Dangers + Interesting Outsiders + Trends/Timeform Comments
Strongest Contenders:
- January (Proven) – 127 RPR. Genuine G1 operator, runner-up in the Falmouth and third in the Coronation Stakes. Slight concern over softer ground (unproven), but her tactical speed and form stand out.
- Matilda (Progressive) – Impressive 6.5L winner in the German 1,000 Guineas (115 RPR). Trainer switch to F-H Graffard is significant, and her soft-ground win (21 Apr) adds confidence.
- Mandanaba (Promising) – 122 RPR. 3yo with Group 1 form against the older fillies is a plus; strong-finishing style could be suited if pace collapses late.
Main Dangers:
- Fallen Angel (Proven) – Close third to Crimson Advocate at Royal Ascot; softer ground a plus, and capable of turning the tables here.
- Crimson Advocate (Proven) – 127 peak RPR, won at Royal Ascot and third in Falmouth; yet to prove effectiveness on soft and all best form on firm.
Interesting Outsiders:
- Spiritual (Progressive) – Easy G3 winner at Epsom. Soft ground is an unknown but lightly raced with upside.
- Exactly (Promising) – Close up in Pouliches and good juvenile soft-ground form. Might be better than latest Ascot run suggests.
- Godspeed (Progressive) – G2 winner at Chantilly on soft; improving filly with a good turn of foot, likely to be played late.
Hold-Up Risk Types:
- Godspeed, Exactly, and Mandanaba all typically settle back and will require gaps and luck in running on this straight mile.
Runner Scores and Suitability Analysis
- January: 9/10 – Proven at G1 level, soft ground unknown. Suited by race shape.
- Matilda: 9/10 – Soft ground winner, thriving, likely improver. Suited.
- Mandanaba: 8/10 – G1 class 3yo, stamina a plus. Needs race to collapse.
- Fallen Angel: 8/10 – Well suited to softer surface. Consistent.
- Crimson Advocate: 7/10 – Top form, ground doubt.
- Spiritual: 7/10 – In-form, but not tested at this level on this ground.
- Exactly: 7/10 – Held by January but could outrun odds on this surface.
- Godspeed: 7/10 – Improving, G2 form, but class rise.
- Atsila: 6/10 – Minor G3 winner, lacks depth of form.
- Pina Sonata: 6/10 – Unexposed, tough ask at this level.
- Start Of Day: 5/10 – Exposed, G2 ceiling.
- Pinta: 4/10 – Limited on figures.
- Riyabovka: 3/10 – Respectable but overmatched.
Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.
Watch out for in-form sprinters returning quickly; they can be hot.
Each-Way Angles
Each-way plays are available with 13 runners. Potential candidates:
- Exactly – Soft ground juvenile form, not far off Mandanaba.
- Godspeed – Recent G2 winner on soft; strong finishing type.
Private Tissue Estimate
- January – 3/1
- Matilda – 7/2
- Mandanaba – 6/1
- Fallen Angel – 13/2
- Crimson Advocate – 8/1
- Spiritual – 10/1
- Exactly – 12/1
- Godspeed – 14/1
- Atsila – 20/1
- Start Of Day – 25/1
- Pina Sonata – 33/1
- Pinta – 66/1
- Riyabovka – 100/1
Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.
Summary + Professional Punter View (Smart Play)
This renewal of the Prix Rothschild is highly competitive, featuring hard-knocking Group 1 fillies like January and rising stars like Matilda and Mandanaba. The expected strong pace could suit closers, but the draw and ground lean towards a grinder who handles soft and can sit handy.
Smart Play
Win Selection: Matilda – Soft-ground proven, explosive in the German Guineas, and now with Graffard. Still unexposed.
Each-Way Saver: Exactly – Classy 2yo soft form and better than bare run at Ascot.
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