Racing
French banker of the day – 31st January 2026
Saturday’s French Banker is a colt by Wooded stepping out of maiden company for the first time…
Sagano (Francis-Henri Graffard / Clement Lecoeuvre)
Chantilly – R3 – Prix du Carrefour d'Orleans
- Improved on every start since needing his debut at Saint-Cloud in October.
- Successful four weeks ago and can kick on out of maiden company.
Sagano looks a work in progress for Francis-Henri Graffard but recorded a resounding success at Pornichet four weeks ago.
Sagano wasn't without his supporters on debut, with a good run clearly expected, however, having been ridden under exaggerated hold-up tactics on that occasion, he looked in need of the run despite doing some good work late on passing rivals.
Since being switched to the all-weather, Sagano has shown improved form and finally broke his maiden at Pornichet on the 3rd of January when adopting new tactics, dominating from the front before going on to score by a comfortable three and a half lengths.
He drops in trip by a furlong here but that shouldn't be an issue and whilst a number of his rivals in this contest like to be handy, only Sagano has led a race from start to finish.
The tongue-strap, that was fitted on his second and third starts, was removed last time out and remains off here, while Francis-Henri Graffard has made a fine start to 2026 picking up where he left off with a stellar end to 2025.
Sagano will need to improve on ratings to beat Lethal Beauty, but his most recent effort was impressive enough to suggest that he is now capable of significant progress.
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