La Petite Coco 8/1 Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes
I've been backing La Petite Coco for this race for the last few weeks at between 10/1 and 8/1. Having now got as much as I wanted on, I'm putting her up on here as a fantastic ew bet.
Firstly, unlike many in the market, we know she's definitely going here. Twomey said in the Racing Post a few weeks ago that this was her main target for the second half of the season. Secondly, her form this season is really stacking up. On her reappearance, she beat a race fit My Astra. My Astra finished a never nearer 4th in a G1 at Longchamp over the weekend. Two starts ago, La Petite Coco was beaten less than 3 lengths by the subsequent Arc winner on ground that was probably quicker than ideal. Most recently, she was looked after when trying and failing to give 6lbs to Above The Curve. ATC finished a never nearer 3rd in the same Group 1 as My Astra over the weekend, but importantly, the defeat was over 1m 2f rather than the 1m 4f on Champions Day.
I am confident that 1m 4f will bring out the best in La Petite Coco. Her best RPR is over the trip (behind Alpinista). I am also confident that she wasn't fully fit last time out, given that it was not her main target for the end of the season. With natural improvement for the trip and fitness, she's got to be going very close. As a further bonus, there are plenty listed above her in the market who are by no means guaranteed to arrive on the day. Above The Curve had a gruelling race in France and may not recover in time, Emily Upjohn hasn't been seen since disappointing badly in July, Sea La Rosa is miles behind La Petite Coco on official ratings and Sweet Lady appears very dependent on very soft ground.
While this is unquestionably an open race, and there are three-year olds who will pose a threat, I cannot believe that there will be three horses who turn up on the day better than La Petite Coco. I have gone to town here and am hopeful of a very decent return.