3 minute read

Preview: Critérium Continental.

The Prix d'Amérique Races Qualif #3 Critérium Continental, is one of two Group One contests to be run at Vincennes on Saturday. This race is for four-year-old's (geldings excluded) having won at least €60,000 and is conducted over the Vincennes mobile start speed course of 2100m. Prizemoney of €200,000 is offered.

For the winner automatic entry into the Prix d'Amérique Legend Race (G1) on the last Sunday in January is gained, as well the Prix de France Speed Race in mid-February and the Prix de Paris Marathon Race at the end of February.

The rollcall of previous victors shows high-class horses from across Europe compete. Legendary winners include Face Time Bourbon, Bold Eagle, and Timoko.

This year multiple international runners have been attracted to enter with Group form from Sweden and Italy being lined up against French performances.

Condor Bar

+ Seven time career winner

− Arrives in poor form including an eighth in the Swc 5 Ans Q1 - Prix Octave Douesne (G2) here two weeks ago

Cash Maker

+ Italian with high class placing's in Sweden as a three-year-old

− Apart from a Class A third, has shown little in four French races

Cash Bank Bigi

+ Italian with a high class win in Sweden

+ Last weekend G2 winner at Vincennes over 2700m

− Prone to be disqualified

Invictus Madiba

+ G3 placing in June recording personal best

− Yet to perform and win at Group level

Instrumentaliste

+ Well placed in career and progressive

+ Last weekend G2 winner at Vincennes over 2700m when first-up since September

+ Beat reopposing rivals

+ Three wins from six mobile starts

− Yet to race at G1 level

I Love Me

− Yet to be placed at Group level

− Mixing between both driven and mounted races

− Five mobile starts for only one third placing

+ Personal Best recorded in mobile G3 when finishing fourth

Imhatra Am

+ High class Swedish filly

+ Won and placed in multiple Group races including G1

+ Strong mobile race record

+ Very quick Personal Best of 1'10"2 recorded tackling a mobile contest in June

− Failed dismally in two French races

Ideal Ligneries

+ Has won to G3 level and multiple G2 placings

+ G1 third in 2021

+ Personal Best recorded three starts ago in G2 mobile race when seventh beaten 3.25L

− Form currently below par finishing behind the placegetters in Group contests

Ideal de Pommeau

+ Excellent mobile record of four starts with three wins and a second

+ Vincennes UET G1 winner three races back in October recording a Personal Best

+ Followed up with G3 victory

+ Well placed winner of 10 from 16 races

− Disqualified last start over 1500m in G2 company

Inmarosa

+ Placed past two runs at Group level

+ Second attempting Critérium Criterium des 4 Ans (G1) in September (winner of that event not contesting this race)

− Two victories from six mobile starts

Inoubliable

+ Personal Best recorded two starts ago in G2 company when third beaten 1.75L

+ G1 placed three starts ago

+ Has won to G2 level

Capital Mail

+ Second in 2021 Italian Derby

− Has struggled in previous starts in France

Charmont de Zack

+ 2021 Italian Derby winner

−Struggled in lesser level races in France

+ In good form with two wins and two seconds from past four starts in quality Italian races

Idao de Tillard

+ Well placed with sixteen wins from twenty-three races

+ G1 winner in March and G1 placed in January

+ Undefeated in five mobile races (to G2 level)

+ Trainer currently on a 26% strike rate

Callmethebreeze

+ High class Group winner in Italy and Sweden

− Form has been disappointing of late failing to fill a place and four disqualifications from past five races

+ Leading stable now prepares