2026 Poule d'Essai des Poulains Betting Tips
Puerto Rico hasn't looked back since winning a Doncaster encounter back in September. That involved landing the spoils in the Betfred Champagne Stakes over seven furlongs on good ground. It was a solid effort that involved toppling Oxagon and favourite Gewan, with the horse then kicking on to succeed in the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.
That Group One success was landed by two and a half lengths, with the horse making all over seven furlongs on testing ground. The fact that the runner has impressed in different conditions strengthens his claim and the latest effort was a victory in the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud as the odds-on favourite.
Rayif has twice landed a success at Deauville and the Graffard-trained horse has to be respected. There was a July win at the French track over six furlongs before claiming a victory over a longer distance in the more competitive Aga Khan Studs Prix Francois Boutin. The 11/10 favourite at Longchamp was then beaten into third by Puerto Rico.
Title Role is trained by Simon & Ed Crisford, with the horse having been successful at Meydan when running on three consecutive occasions. There was a victory at this track at the end of January, with that coming before claiming the spoils at the same course a month later. More recently, there was a midfield finish at Newbury in April in the Group 3 Greenham Stakes.