The Qatar Prix de la Foret is the last of a number of amazing group one races at Paris Longchamp today, and with some great sprinters including Francis Graffard’s Zarigana, and Willaim Haggas’ More Thunder, Andre Fabre’s Sajir looks like a very interesting competitor, and with the luck of the draw, here’s why Sajir is the best bet of the Prix Foret.
After winning last time out at Deauville beating QE2 Jubilee Stakes winner Lazzat by some margin, Sajir looks like a very competent competitor in the market, and at 13/2, he looks much better value compared to those shorter than him.
With William Haggas’ More Thunder, winner of the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury, and the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket, the step up to a group one may be too much to ask, especially given the poor luck of the draw lining up in stall 16. Despite being one of the more experienced horses over 7 furlongs, More Thunder hasn’t been too proven over softer ground, and compared to his French competition, the experience on the softer surface may not play into his hand.
Unlike More Thunder, Oisin Murphy and Sajir have been proven over testing ground, and have become a very successful partnership, the four year old being arguably the best 7 furlong horse on form across the whole field. With Zarigana of Francis Graffard and ridden by Mickael Barzalona looking like a real standout competitor, the drop back down in trip may not be ideal given the rest of the field have really solid credentials over the trip, however group one winning form, and home field advantage is something to note.
Drawn 13 in the stalls is big for Sajir, having the guidance of the midfielder to take the best position compared to More Thunder who has a historically tough wide draw, and with what the form shows, the ground, the jockey, the experience, and the trip, Sajir looks like a really solid competitor at 13/2. What may hold More Thunder in higher regard is the consistent victories over in Britain, however stepping up into group one company with a bad draw and not very ideal ground conditions, for me Sajir already has the beat on him on paper.
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