Palace Pier priced at 10-11 favourite to defeat Poetic Flare in Marois

The stage is set for a fast and furious Prix Jacques le Marois (2.50) this afternoon at Deauville, where dry conditions in the last week have left the straight mile course good to firm. 

Last year's winner Palace Pier has only been defeated once in nine starts and is the general 10-11 market leader to add a fifth Group 1 success to his already glittering CV. 

The drying conditions will likely be of help to the 3-1 second favourite Poetic Flare, who lost out to Alcohol Free on soft ground in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood last month. 

The son of Dawn Approach has already confirmed himself as one of the leading three-year-olds of his generation thanks to victories in the 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes this season.

If this morning's market is anything to go by, the race looks to be a match between Palace Pier and Poetic Flare, with last year's runner-up Alpine Star next best at a general 9-1. 

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The drying conditions will likely be of help to the 3-1 second favourite Poetic Flare, who lost out to Alcohol Free on soft ground at Goodwood