Favourite-backers take another soaking as Longchamp follows Newmarket in providing Classic shocks
Stormy weather delayed racing in Paris on Sunday and most punters took a soaking, whether they were muttering "Il pleut" to each other by the Longchamp paddock or watching from the comfort of home.
The first two Classics of the French season were won by outsiders priced at 31-1 and 24-1, continuing the theme established at Newmarket the previous weekend, when the Guineas winners were returned at 16-1 and 28-1.
Another thread of continuity would be well-backed and previously unbeaten runners from mighty Ballydoyle who end up unplaced. This time it was Henry Longfellow, a five-length winner of the National Stakes when last seen and presumably supported by some of the same people who had lost on the head-scratchingly disappointing City Of Troy eight days earlier.
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Published on inThe Cook Review
Last updated
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- The lesson of 40-1 winner Anmaat is that a horse can always be forgiven for a single bad performance
- A big day for Shadow Of Light but The Lion In Winter still has a bigger reputation despite not turning up
- Shadow Of Light the star of Newmarket's show as Godolphin colt zooms clear of Middle Park rivals
- Lethal Levi does it his way in Ayr's big race on a weekend taken over by nicely timed swansongs
- If you're hoping to land a valuable marathon handicap on the Flat, you'd better send for a jumps trainer