Olympic Glory must defy draw in Poulains; Flotilla returns in Pouliches

Olympic Glory must defy draw in Poulains; Flotilla returns

in Pouliches

Sunday's Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains has attracted a field of 18, and

leading contender Olympic Glory was not favored in stall 12 as he bids to add

another mile classic to Richard Hannon's resume. Last seen winning the Greenham

at Newbury April 20, Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al Thani's Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere

winner will have to defy the statistics to prevail, with only Lope de Vega able

to overcome a double-figure draw in recent times.

Like that high-class performer, Intello hails from the Andre Fabre stable

successful five times and he will also break from wide out in 17. The Wertheimer

brothers' unbeaten Feilden scorer has only the April 14 Prix de Fontainebleau

winner Gengis on his outside.

The Wertheimers are also represented by Anodin, a full brother to Goldikova

who will bid to go one better than his illustrious sibling after she was second

to Zarkava in the Pouliches five years ago.

While the owner-breeders' Racing Manager Pierre-Yves Bureau was pleased with

stall 8 for Anodin, he was bemoaning the misfortune of Intello Friday.

"As you can imagine, we would have preferred a lower draw for Intello, but

that's the game and we have to deal with it," he told PA Sport. "It could have

been worse, so we will see what happens on Sunday. It's hard to know what will

happen, but we would have preferred low draws for both of them.

"I think he (Intello) had a nice run in Newmarket but the thing with both

horses is that they have not been running against the top, top horses and this

will be a big step up for them. Intello is dropping back in trip but I think

there's enough speed in his pedigree as his dam was a miler and his granddam was

a sprinter, so that shouldn't really be a problem.

"Anodin is a full brother to the big girl and a half-brother to Galikova and

he's a nice horse. He ran a nice race last time but it's a big step from

conditions company to Group 1 level. The ground should be fine for them and we

will see how they go on Sunday."

Baron Edouard de Rothschild's decision to supplement his unbeaten filly

Esoterique into Sunday's Group 1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches was rewarded with a

slice of favorable fortune yesterday as she drew 6 for the mile classic.

Impressive when belying her inexperience in this venue's Prix Vanteaux over the

Prix d'Ispahan distance of 9 1/4 furlongs April 28, the Fabre trainee will face

19 rivals as she drops in trip.

Also faring well with the all-important post position draw is Sheikh Mohammed

bin Khalifa al Thani's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine Flotilla in

post 5, while the same owner had less luck with last year's Prix Marcel Boussac

runner-up Topaze Blanche in 11. Along with Guy Pariente's homebred Kenhope and

Godolphin's Tasaday, who were ahead of her in the Prix de la Grotte over this

track and trip last time April 14, she will have to defy a double-figure draw

and potential traffic issues after that duo drew 16 and 14 respectively.

Topaze Blanche's jockey Olivier Peslier is at least hoping that a fast pace

will help her cause.

"She is a very nice filly and was unlucky last time, as the pace of the race

was too slow and she was a bit fresh and a little nervous," he said. "I tried to

relax her, but she was too keen and she finished well. I think I can beat the

winner (Kenhope) this time and the pace will be higher here. She will relax

better here and although the draw is important, she is a good starter."

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