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Preview: Prix de Belgique.
This Sunday the G2 Prix de Belgique (2850m) offers the final chance for horses to qualify for the 'big three' races of the Winter Meeting - G1 Grand Prix d'Amérique (2700m), G1 Prix de France Speed Race (2100m) and the G1 Prix de Paris Marathon Race (4150m). We preview the chances in this feature Group Two, the final of the four qualifying 'B' races.
Galius
Galius is an exciting six-year-old. Winner of the G1 Criterium des 5 Ans (3000m) in September, he stepped up into open-age company when taking the G2 Prix d'Amerique Qualifier 4 Prix Tenor de Baune (2700m) by three-quarters of a length last start.
Ampia Mede Sm
Ampia Mede Sm has been a revelation since switching to France from her native Italy, recording ten victories from fourteen starts in 2020. She was disqualified in the G2 Prix d'Amerique Qualifier 4 Prix Tenor de Baune (2700m) when a short-price favourite (only her second disqualification in a fourteen-race career) and will be looking to bounce back.
Mister F Daag
Mister F Daag would need to step up on recent outings. He was third in a Class A at Vincennes last start.
Feydeau Seven
Feydeau Seven returned to better order with a comfortable four and a half length win in a Class A at Vincennes. This is a tough test.
Rebella Matters
Rebella Matters earnt a well-deserved qualification for the G1 Prix d'Amerique (2700m) by finishing third in the G2 Prix d'Amerique Qualifier 2 (2850m) Prix de Bourbonais in mid-December. She is capable in a race of this nature and holds each way claims.
Express Jet
Express Jet bounced back to form with a third in the G3 Grand Prix de Noel (2700m) at Cagnes-sur-Mer. Further improvement would be required to win.
Violetto Jet
Violetto Jet will be aiming to complete after two straight disqualifications. He was a good fourth in the G2 Prix d'Amerique Qualifier 1 Prix de Bretagne (2700m) in November.
Detroit Castelets
Detroit Castelets has been struggling at this level since a win in the G3 Prix de Beaugency (2850m) in September. More is required.
Diable de Vauvert
Diable de Vauvert is not showing the same level of form as during the 2020/21 Vincennes Winter Meeting. Improvement is needed to feature.
Feliciano
Feliciano has not been beaten far in recent runs including when second in the G3 Prix Jean Dumouch (2850m) at this venue. He could sneak a place with a solid performance.
Gu d'Heripre
Gu d'Heripre closed off previous campaign with a win in the G2 Sulky Summer Races – Qualifier 2 (2175m) and returned after a seven-month absence with a fifth in the G2 Prix d'Amerique Qualifier 5 Critérium Continental (2100m). He is entitled to improve.
Chica de Joudes
Chica de Joudes has struggled to find best form since a win in the G3 Prix des Cevennes (2850m) at Vincennes in November. She will need to return to better order.
Power
Power has been in mixed form in recent months. A replication of his two and a quarter length fourth in the G2 Prix d'Amerique Qualifier 4 Prix Tenor de Baune (2700m) last start would make him a contender.
Cokstile
Cokstile was a surprise winner of the G2 Prix d'Amerique Qualifier 5 Critérium Continental (2100m) on 2 January and it will be interesting if he can uphold the form.
Zacon Gio
A recent recruit to the Jean-Michel Bazire stable, Italian-bred Zacon Gio showed improvement on his second start for the yard when fourth in the G2 Prix d'Amerique Qualifier 2 Prix de Bourbonnais (2850m). Multiple Group One winner in Italy he was subsequently disqualified and remains an interesting prospect.
Delia du Pommereux
Delia du Pommereux has not been showing the same level of form during this season's Vincennes Winter Meeting and needs to bounce back after two straight disqualifications.
Bahia Quesnot
Bahia Quesnot is very capable at the top level but would need to improve on her recent eleventh in the G2 Prix d'Amerique Qualifier 5 Critérium Continental (2100m).
Davidson du Pont
Davidson du Pont has been placed multiple times in the G1 Grand Prix d'Amerique (2700m) yet has failed to get involved in the two qualifiers he has been entered in this Winter Meeting. A return to form would be required.