Racing
French banker of the day - 6th March 2026
Friday’s French banker is an unexposed three-year-old looking to take a step forward from his debut effort…
New Connection (Francis-Henri Graffard/Mickael Barzalona)
Fontainebleau – R3 - Prix des Trois Massifs
New Connection looked like a surefire future winner when fourth on debut over a slightly shorter trip at Chantilly fifteen days ago.
Trained by leading handler Francis-Henri Graffard for top connections Wathnan Racing, it was no shock to see the gelded son of New Bay go off a short-price for his debut a couple of weeks ago.
Plenty might have been disappointed that he could only finish back in fourth on that occasion, but there were a whole host of positives to take, and he'll surely benefit from going up in trip now switched to turf.
He looked visibly in need of the experience once asked for an effort in the home straight and once Christophe Soumillon realised his chances of winning were over, he sensibly nursed his mount across the line in educational fashion.
A sizeable bay, he looks like just the type of horse who will benefit hugely from his initial experience and with this step up in trip only expected to suit, Francis-Henri Graffard's three-year-old gets a confident vote to come out on top.
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