PIERE TO FLY THE FLAG OF FRANCE

Distance suits the Romeo Francis runner

Trainer Romeo Francis has to be battle each year with very cheap horses but has done very well with his charge Flag Of France as he is now an eight-time winner and this gelding looks the right one to take Race 7, a MR 72 Handicap over Turffontein’s Inside Track on Saturday.

Flag Of France has been in very good form lately and runs particularly well for jockey Piere Strydom. This The Sheik gelding has won once, been runner-up three times and was fourth in his last five starts.

Incidentally when fourth Flag Of France was only 0.80 lengths behind the winner.

Flag Of France has won at this track and the last time he raced here he was touched off by Mission Control over 1000m.

His draw of No 5 should not be a problem for Strydom.

The biggest threat appears to be Pistolero. This Ashaawes gelding won well over the course and distance in April but seemed to struggle off his new mark.

There were signs that Pistolero is coming back to form as in his latest start he ran on nicely when fourth behind Spring Steel. That form looks decent.

The St John Gray yard has been in decent form and he has two entrants for this race in the form of William Nicol and Thewaywemakem and both could finish in the money.

Summit is back for the Geoff Woodruff yard and he could be worth adding to Quartets and Trifectas.

It is a tough card and bankers for the exotics will not be easy to find but we should get a decent run out of Shenanigans in Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 2000m who looks a banker in the BiPot and Place Accumulator.

This Dynasty gelding takes a huge jump in distance after only being beaten 4.90 lengths on his sprint debut.

Shenanigans could prove to be better than his modest rivals.