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Godolphin's G1 Cazoo Derby and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. winner is one of two to carry the royal blue in the ParisLongchamp showpiece alongside G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 Cazoo St Leger victor Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

Snowfall has enjoyed an outstanding season, kicked off by a win in the G3 Musidora S. at York in May before taking the G1 Cazoo Oaks in June, the July 17 G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks, and Aug. 19 G1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks. The Coolmore partners colourbearer was only 1 ½ lengths behind Roger Varian's Teona (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G1 Qatar Prix Vermeille on Sept. 12. Aidan O'Brien also saddles five-time Group 1 winner Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}), successful in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in July.

His Highness The Aga Khan's Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal), an electric winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Turf last season and second to the recently retired St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) in the G1 Irish Champion S. on Sept. 11, lines up for Dermot Weld. Shadwell's G2 Darley Prix de Pomone victress Raabihah (Sea The Stars {Ire}) is also signed on from the Jean-Claude Rouget yard, while Richard Hannon sends Derby second and St Leger runner-up Mojo Star (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) for Amo Racing. Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) will take part for trainer William Haggas. Germany is represented by Group 1 winner Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) for trainer Marcel Weiss.

Japan's four-time Group 1 winner Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}) and Sept. 12 G2 Prix Foy victor Deep Bond (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) are also entered. The pair will be ridden by Oisin Murphy and Mickael Barzalona, respectively.

“Cristian [Demuro] couldn't ride for various reasons and I was surprised that Mickael Barzalona was free in the race,” said Ryuji Okubo. “It will depend on the weather [how Deep Bond is ridden]. There is rain forecast over the weekend, so the ground is going to be a little bit softer than it was on the day of the Prix Foy.

“Everything will really depend on the pace of the race and also the draw. In Japan he doesn't usually run from the front, he usually drops in behind the leader and obviously on Sunday we will have to think how that will pan out, but we wouldn't want to have Chrono Genesis just sitting behind.”

The Arc field is rounded out by Cedric Rossi's Group 1 winner Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), and the G2 Qatar Prix Niel one-two of Bubble Gift (Fr) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and Baby Rider (Fr) (Gleneagles {Ire}).

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La Petite Coco's first start for this stable resulted in a 4 1/4-length defeat of the subsequent G1 Irish 1000 Guineas fourth Belle Image (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) over a mile at Killarney May 11, with her next outing being a second to Ballydoyle's Willow (Ire) (American Pharoah) in the 10-furlong Listed Naas Oaks Trial June 23. Back at Killarney for a conditions event over 11 furlongs July 12, the bay sprung forth from that confidence boost to win by 5 1/2 lengths in Cork's Give Thanks last time. Held up early behind the leaders, she was the only member of the field able to live with Love inside the final two furlongs and made the weight-for-age and that rival's group 1 penalty count in the finial stride.

“I had mapped out a plan and wasn't going to waver, as this looked a lovely next step but I hadn't factored in Love coming here,” trainer Paddy Twomey explained. “We had taken all the baby steps we could to try and educate her, as she does what she has to do at home and I felt she was green and needed racing experience. She had a great time going around Killarney and beat good opposition well there which set her up for Cork. She is versatile enough ground-wise, but handles heavy ground better than others and a mile and a half is her thing, so there were a couple of unknowns there. Team Valor like racing, so I'd imagine she'll travel next year and they intend to have great fun with her. The [Oct. 16 G1 QICPO Champions] Fillies and Mares at Ascot has been the plan and anything after that, we'll see–it depends how she takes it.”

The first runner from three live foals out of the unraced La Petite Virginia (Ger) (Konigstiger {Ger}), La Petite Coco is connected to some big names in German racing history. One of the dam's half-brothers is the G1 Deutsches Derby hero Lavirco (Ger) (Konigsstuhl {Ger}), himself a full-sibling of the G2 Deutsches St Leger winner Laveron (Ger) who was also third in the domestic Derby. La Petite Virginia is out of La Virginia (Ger) (Surumu {Ger}), who is also the second dam of the G3 Badener Stutenpreis winner and G1 Premio Lydia Tesio runner-up Lacy (Ger) (Authorized {Ire}) and the G3 Preis des Winterfavoriten winner Langtang (Ger) (Campanologist).

La Virginia is a full-sister to the group 3-winning La Colorada (Ger), who produced the triple group 1-winning champion and leading sire Lomitas (GB), with this being the dam line of Gestut Fahrhof's blue hen Love In (GB) whose descendants include another Deutsches Derby hero in Lagunas (GB) and the leading sire Lord of England (Ger). La Petite Virginia also has a yearling filly by Ivawood (Ire).

Sunday, The Curragh, Ireland
MOYGLARE JEWELS BLANDFORD S.-G2, €196,000, Curragh, 9-12, 3yo/up, f/m, 10fT, 2:08.39, gd.
1–LA PETITE COCO (IRE), 128, f, 3, by Ruler of The World (Ire)
     1st Dam: La Petite Virginia (Ger), by Konigstiger (Ger)
     2nd Dam: La Virginia (Ger), by Surumu (Ger)
     3rd Dam: La Dorada (Ire), by Kronzeuge (Fr)
O-Team Valor International LLC; B-Mr B Schone (IRE); T-Paddy Twomey; J-Billy Lee. €105,000. Lifetime Record: 7-4-1-0, $208,509. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Love (Ire), 137, f, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Pikaboo (GB), by Pivotal (GB). O-Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €35,000.
3–Thundering Nights (Ire), 137, f, 4, Night of Thunder (Ire)–Cape Castle (Ire), by Cape Cross (Ire). (€17,000 RNA Wlg '17 GOFNOV; €19,000 RNA Ylg '18 TIRSEP). O-Shapoor Mistry; B-Manjri Farm (IRE); T-Joseph O'Brien. €17,500.
Margins: NO, 3, HF. Odds: 3.20, 1.20, 3.50.
Also Ran: Insinuendo (Ire), Oodnadatta (Ire), Cayenne Pepper (Ire), Amma Grace (Ire), Woodland Garden (Ire). Scratched: Lovely Esteem (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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With Ballydoyle's intended number one St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) sidelined due to a late setback, Aidan O'Brien has rerouted this term's G1 Prince of Wales's S. winner and G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. third Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to take his place in the day one feature. Last term's G1 1000 Guineas, G1 Epsom Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine was initially targetting Sunday's G1 Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville, but will fill the supersub role in a contest for the ages.

“It's four or five days earlier than we'd planned for her–the plan was to go for the Romanet on Sunday–but when St Mark's came out we decided we'd let her run here instead,” the trainer explained. “The King George was a little bit of a mess and we thought it would be an strongly run race, but it probably wasn't. The pace wasn't very fast for her, she likes an even pace and her racing tempo is much higher than they went. She still ran very well and Ryan [Moore] was very happy with her run. We saw all the things that went wrong for her, but she came out of the race well and, ideally, she wants an end-to-end gallop to see the best of her.

“She's in good form and the ground is important to her as she's such a beautiful mover, but we wouldn't like to run her on soft ground. She has a big, long stride and gallops with her head out. Usually, those type of horses can't quicken instantly as they need a big rhythm into the last four of five furlongs to see them at their best.”

Coolmore's homebred 4-year-old faces no easy task with several in opposition holding valid claims. Chief among them is Prince A A Faisal's King George runner-up Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), who finished 1 3/4 lengths ahead of her in that 12-furlong test having previously run third to St Mark's Basilica in Sandown's G1 Coral-Eclipse. Last term's G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero had previously plundered monster pots in the Feb. 20 Saudi Cup and Mar. 27 G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, and having conceded 11 pounds to the Classic generation at Ascot, is now tasked with a more amenable seven-pound weight-for-age pull.

“One horse isn't going to make a horse race and, even without St Mark's Basilica, it's still a very strong field and we have a lot of good opposition to take on,” said big-race jockey David Egan. “I was really pleased with how he progressed from the Eclipse to the King George and I thought the King George run was a fantastic run, finishing behind an absolute monster in Adayar, giving him so much weight.

“We don't need to give the 3-year-olds as much weight here and I think dropping my lad back to a mile-and-a-quarter will only play to his strengths. If Mishriff can improve as much as he did from the Eclipse to the King George, he's going to be hard to beat.”

Jeff Smith's Arabian Queen (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) caused a 50-1 shock when becoming the first to lower the colours of Golden Horn (GB) (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) in the 2015 edition of this event and is represented by G1 Cheveley Park S., G1 Coronation S. and G1 Nassau S. heroine Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never) this time around.

“She came out of Goodwood really well, I'll speak to Jeff and Andrew [Balding], but the key is to try to relax and follow for as long as possible,” said rider Oisin Murphy. “This is a completely different test and I have massive respect for Mishriff and Love.

“The Juddmonte International is often the highest-rated race in the world, this is a good renewal and I'm looking forward to it. I was fortunate to win it on a world champion 3-year-old in Roaring Lion and it would be nice to win it again. The owner is a brilliant sportsman and I'm sure he's very excited, as am I.”

Newmarket conditioner William Haggas is doubly represented and sends forth G2 King Edward VII S. victor Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) and G3 Hampton Court S. scorer Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Both are coming back off their first defeats of the campaign, with Alenquer returning off a third in the July 14 G1 Grand Prix de Paris and Mohaafeth lining up off a third in the July 24 G2 York S. at this venue.

“The pacemaker went too slow and Jim [Crowley] was too far back,” Haggas said of the latter's latest run. “It was a mess, and you can put a line through it. Angus [Gold] felt that if you ignore that run and concentrated on the good bits he was well worth his chance here. The trip is fine and the ground should be okay too. He's got a bit to find, but he's useful.”

Turning to Alenquer, the trainer added, “The owners felt that as he had already won a Group 2 there was no point running in another one. They want to test him against the best, and he's very well. He's improving and you can put a line through his latest run at Longchamp as he was way too far back and never got into it at all. I don't think he's the soft or heavy ground horse that some have him down as, but he might just want a bit further. He's not a bad horse. It's an ambitious route for both horses, but they'll both run a good race. Whether they are good enough is another matter.”

Jim Bolger's G1 Futurity Trophy winner Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) finished off the board in both G1 Epsom Derby and G1 Irish Derby after annexing the Curragh's May 22 G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and tries this intermediate distance for first time since running fourth in the May 9 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial on seasonal return. Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Listed Wolferton S. winner Juan Elcano (GB) (Frankel (GB), who finished one place ahead of the reopposing Mohaafeth when second in the G2 York S., completes the field.

Great Voltigeur a Classic Pointer

Elsewhere on the card, Godolphin's G2 Queen's Vase victor Kemari (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) will seek to dent the G1 St Leger aspirations of most of his seven rivals in the G2 Sky Bet Great Voltigeur S. and will bid to record a second renewal for Charlie Appleby. He is accompanied by stablemate and fellow gelding Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who backed up a win in Newmarket's July 8 G3 Bahrain Trophy with a free-running sixth in the July 29 G3 Gordon S. at Goodwood.

Aidan O'Brien outstrips the Appleby representation by one and has nominated a trio of G1 St Leger entries for this £150,000 contest. It is headed by last term's G2 Beresford S. winner High Definition (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who is on a retrieval mission after running third here in the May 13 G2 Dante S. and coming back off a compromised effort when 10th of 11 in the June 26 G1 Irish Derby.

“This will be a nice start back for him and we're looking forward to it,” the trainer said. “I suppose the year has been a bit of a mess for him and everything we've tried to do has gone wrong. He barely made it to the Dante and then we were going to run him in the [G1 Epsom] Derby, but didn't, and that probably broke his rhythm a bit by that happening. We then had to wait for the Curragh and he cut a heel in the race. He nearly went down, which lost his confidence, but we think, and hope, he should leave that run well behind him.

“He looks like a horse that would get a mile-and-a-half well as he was coming home very well in the Dante. He had a break after The Curragh, he's ready to start again and will improve. He's a big, powerful horse and I'd say there is no doubt he is still out of the top drawer. He will be a horse to look forward to next year and we think he has the class to be a top middle-distance horse yet.”

O'Brien has also nominated G1 Grand Prix de Paris fourth The Mediterranean (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G3 Gordon S. runner-up Sir Lucan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). “Sir Lucan had a very good run at Goodwood. It was his first run back after a break and Frankie [Dettori] rode him patiently. He came from the back and just got beat and has come out of that race well,” he added.

The Gordon S. reunion also features Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's G1 Epsom Derby fifth Third Realm (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and Ahmad Al Shaikh's G1 Epsom Derby eighth Youth Spirit (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) representing Roger Varian and Andrew Balding, respectively.

Quintet of Acomb Contenders

The first pattern race of the week, the £100,000 G3 Tattersalls Acomb S., is a competitive affair albeit with just five contenders set for the seven-furlong test.

Dr. Ali Ridha's Dubawi Legend (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) makes his eagerly awaited return after earning 'TDN Rising Star' status with a five-length rout over this trip at Doncaster last month.

“We're obviously hopeful and he's a horse we've always held in high regard,” said trainer Hugo Palmer. “I'd have been disappointed if he hadn't won the way he did at Doncaster, we were hoping he would do something like that first time and he didn't disappoint. It's a race that is typical of the conditions of the Acomb and it's going to be a question of which maiden winner in the second half of July was the better one.

“His work on watered ground in Newmarket has been very pleasing and I would have thought anywhere between firm and good-to-soft and he'll be fine. It's just the second run of his life and two or three of the others have got more experience, but he hasn't missed a beat since Doncaster and goes there in great nick. Hopefully, he can run a big race.”

Godolphin's Newmarket maiden winner Noble Truth (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) ran third to subsequent G2 July S. victor Lusail (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) in his June 19 debut and sports headgear once more for his third start here.

“Noble Truth progressed from his first start to win his maiden and has done well physically since,” said trainer Charlie Appleby. “This will tell us the level we will be campaigning him at for the rest of the season.”

Opposition also includes Shadwell's 'TDN Rising Star' Ehraz (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), who encountered a race-fit Noble Truth when running on for a two-length second in his July 9 debut tackling seven furlongs at Newmarket.

“He ran very well first time at Newmarket and was impressive at Ascot,” commented racing manager Angus Gold. “He's done everything right so far, [trainer] Richard [Hannon] is very happy with the horse and he's giving him all the right signs at home.

“Obviously, it's a trappy little contest, but I think they feel Ehraz is above average on his home work and, all being well, he's a nice horse in the making. Like always, you've got to see them go and do it on the track.”

The line-up is completed by unbeaten Goodwood maiden scorer Imperial Fighter (Ire) (The Gurkha {Ire}) representing Andrew Balding, and Mark Johnston trainee Royal Patronage (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who return's off a five-length score at Epsom last month.

Yorkshire Oaks Field Takes Shape

Thursday's G1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks has attracted a select field of seven with a mouthwatering clash of the generations in store on day two of York's Ebor Festival.

Coolmore's Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) is set to go postward at short odds and bids to provide trainer Aidan O'Brien with a sixth renewal of the £400,000 contest. She has drawn stall three for her attempt at emulating the G1 Epsom Oaks, G1 Irish Oaks and G1 Yorkshire Oaks treble of Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and returns to the scene of her May 12 G3 Musidora S. triumph. O'Brien will also oversee outsiders Divinely (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and La Joconde (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who will break in tandem from boxes five and six.

Rivals also include Christopher Wright's G1 Prix de Royallieu and G1 British Champions Fillies & Mares heroine Wonderful Tonight (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), who is drawn alongside the likely favourite in gate two.

“Obviously I'm hoping there's a bit more rain, but if the ground is good we'll give it a go,” revealed David Menuisier. “I've been in Deauville for four or five days and I've found that the ground is pretty chopped up. The weather forecast is not that positive for downpours and I'm sure the ground will be better in York than it is in Deauville.”

The trainer had initially booked Olivier Peslier to partner this term's G2 Hardwicke S. and G2 Lillie Langtry S. victrix, but the rider has undergone knee surgery and William Buick continues in the plate.

“William has been riding her and Olivier just had a little operation to get a chip removed in his knee,” he added. “Olivier is sidelined for a week to 10 days and I'm delighted to have William on board on Thursday.”

Kirsten Rausing's Albaflora (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), the only other 4-year-old in the contest, renews rivalry with Wonderful Tonight in her third visit to the Knavesmire and the Ralph Beckett trainee is allocated stall seven. Lordship Stud's Loving Dream (GB) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and Shadwell's Eshaada (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) cross swords once more, having finished first and second in Royal Ascot's June 17 G2 Ribblesdale S., and will exit gates four and one, respectively.

Click here for the group fields.

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“Yesterday morning he lost a front shoe and it came back and hit his hind leg–his near-hind joint,” the Ballydoyle handler explained on Monday. “We didn't think a lot of it, but this morning there was a little bit of swelling in it and when we took bloods off him, his bloods came back and it was a little bit infected. We were a bit taken aback when we saw it this morning, but when we did the bloods then we didn't have any choice as he needs to go on antibiotics and the antibiotics that he's going to go on obviously he couldn't run on. Hopefully we'll be back on target towards the end of this week and if we are, we'll be able to train him for the Irish Champion.”

Of Love, O'Brien added, “It's four or five days earlier than we'd planned for her–the plan was to go for the [G1 Prix Jean] Romanet on Sunday. When St Mark's came out, we decided we'd let her run here instead.”

Seven will go to post for the extended 10-furlong feature, with dual Group 1 winner Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) for John and Thady Gosden, Andrew Balding trainee Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never), who won the July 28 G1 Sussex S., and G1 Irish 2000 Guineas scorer Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) for Jim Bolger three other star names. The field is rounded out by William Haggas's pair of G2 King Edward VII S. winner and G1 Grand Prix de Paris third Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) and G3 Hampton Court S. victor Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), as well as stakes winner Juan Elcano (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who was second in the July 24 G2 York S. for trainer Kevin Ryan.

Mishriff's jockey David Egan reacted to the news of the withdrawal of his mount's G1 Eclipse S. conqueror later on Monday. “St Mark's Basilica has been outstanding this season. It's unfortunate what's happened–nobody wants that,” he said. “We want the best horses going for these big races. One horse isn't going to make a horse race. Even without St Mark's Basilica, it's still a very strong field and we have a lot of good opposition to take on.”

Mishriff may have come up short behind St Mark's Basilica when third in the July 3 Sandown feature, but he has subsequently run second to Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), with Love 1 3/4 lengths in arrears, in Ascot's G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Qipco S. July 24. That gives Prince Faisal's homebred G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Dubai Sheema Classic hero the edge on form, but Egan is taking nothing for granted.

“Love is a very special filly. Although she did finish third last time, her previous form is not to be overlooked,” he added. “She was an unbelievable filly at three and looked like a real superstar and I still think she is. She possibly underperformed in the King George and we have to give a weight allowance to a filly that's very, very good, which is not going to be easy. We saw with Enable how strong these top-class fillies can be against the colts. Love is definitely going to bounce back and give us a good race.”

“Everything has gone smoothly–his preparation has been good,” Egan continued. “I was really pleased with how he progressed from the Eclipse to the King George. I thought the King George run was a fantastic run, finishing behind an absolute monster in Adayar, giving him so much weight. We don't need to give the 3-year-olds as much weight in the Juddmonte and I think dropping my lad back to a mile and a quarter will only play to his strengths. If Mishriff can improve as much as he did from the Eclipse to the King George, he's going to be hard to beat.”

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“There are thunderstorms forecast and a good chance of heavy showers,” Menuisier told the Racing Post. “That doesn't mean Ascot will get them, but as long as it remains a possibility we owe it to the filly to keep her in the race and take her to Ascot on Saturday, where we will sit and wait. If it doesn't rain, we'll come home and enjoy the drive back.”

William Haggas believes the rain will not come in the kind of quantity required for his stable star Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and opted to take him out at the final stage, while Prince Faisal's Mar. 27 G1 Dubai Sheema Classic winner Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) makes up the older contingent. The two 3-year-olds are Godolphin's June 5 G1 Epsom Derby hero Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Ballylinch Stud and Aquis Farm's June 26 G1 Irish Derby runner-up Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who receive eight pounds weight-for-age from the 4-year-old fillies and 11 from Broome and Mishriff.

Adayar will be looking to become the first blue riband winner to prevail here since Galileo 20 years ago and trainer Charlie Appleby spoke after his breeze under William Buick at Moulton Paddocks on Thursday morning. “I couldn't be happier with him. It was a straightforward final piece of work and he will go there on Saturday with no excuses,” he said. “It's true that before Epsom, I thought he was shaping more as a St Leger type. He's so straightforward at home, he never stood out in his work but, having said that, we always felt he was very good. On Derby Day, he showed us a turn-of-foot we hadn't seen before and he has sharpened up a lot for that experience.”

“Like everybody else, we've got a huge watching brief on this,” he added. “Everybody's wanting to know how good the 3-year-olds are, particularly at a mile and a half. We would like to see what we are dealing with and I think the King George will provide the answers. Adayar is approaching his biggest challenge in tip-top condition and we are upbeat about accepting the challenge. His prep has been faultless. We have seen him maturing week on week. I believe he is physically stronger than he was at Epsom. When you see him in the paddock on Saturday, he won't look like a 3-year-old against older horses. He looks like an older horse now.”

On Friday, two high-class fillies share centre stage as they make their belated seasonal debuts. In Ascot's G3 British Racecourses Join Sunflower Lanyard Scheme Valiant S., George Strawbridge's 'TDN Rising Star' Indigo Girl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is back in action for the John and Thady Gosden stable while the Niarchos Family's Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) tackles York's Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Lyric Fillies' S. Sticking to the mile trip over which she captured the G2 May Hill S. at Doncaster in September before finishing runner-up in the G1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket the following month, Indigo Girl who is a full-sister to her owner-breeder's Group 1 heroine Journey (GB) is bred to want further in time.

“We had planned to bring Indigo Girl back in May, but she's had a few niggles so we're bringing her back in July,” John Gosden said. “She's been working nicely on the all-weather lately and this looks a nice starting point for her and she may go up in trip later on.”

Indigo Girl is joined by Strawbridge's winter acquisition Elysium (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}), who is also making her 2021 bow having last been seen winning The Curragh's G3 Weld Park S. in September. She remains in training with Noel Meade following her purchase and her trainer said,

“She's in good shape. We had kind of a miserable spring, as she got a few little respiratory problems which slowed her down. We struggled to get her right, but we think we're nearly there now and we really hadn't any place to start her in Ireland. Her owner has another runner in it and she's favourite, but that's the way it goes. She will improve for the run I'm sure.”

Also in the Valiant is Cheveley Park Stud's Sir Michael Stoute-trained Lights On (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), who scored by 10 lengths in the Listed Pipalong S. over this trip on soft ground at Pontefract July 6.

The stud's managing director Chris Richardson said, “We've been thrilled with her this year. She ran no race at Royal Ascot [when eighth in the Kensington Palace S.] because of the draw really. The ground is going to be different on Friday. A bit of juice in the ground might have been helpful, but it's a logical race and we'll see what happens. John and Thady Gosden's filly was highly thought of last year, but our filly is in good form and has come out of her last race well.”

Alpine Star makes her keenly-anticipated return at York's evening meeting, with the Lyric Fillies' S. over an extended 10 furlongs an ideal slot for the G1 Coronation S.-winning half-sister to Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). Last seen splitting Tarnawa  (Ire) (Shamardal) and Audarya (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) when runner-up in ParisLongchamp's G1 Prix de l'Opera in October, the Jessie Harrington-trained chestnut has no penalty here and anything other than a smooth return win will be a surprise. “It's a nice little start-off for her and then we can plan for the autumn. We've got loads of options,” her trainer commented. “She had a little setback earlier in the year, which is why we didn't get to run her. She doesn't have to carry a penalty and is taking on just fillies, so let's hope all goes well.”

Click here for the group fields.

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William Haggas believes the rain will not come in the kind of quantity required for his stable star Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) and opted to take him out at the final stage, while Prince Faisal's Mar. 27 G1 Dubai Sheema Classic winner Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) makes up the older contingent. The two 3-year-olds are Godolphin's June 5 G1 Epsom Derby hero Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Ballylinch Stud and Aquis Farm's June 26 G1 Irish Derby runner-up Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who receive eight pounds weight-for-age from the 4-year-old fillies and 11 from Broome and Mishriff.

Adayar will be looking to become the first blue riband winner to prevail here since Galileo 20 years ago and trainer Charlie Appleby spoke after his breeze under William Buick at Moulton Paddocks on Thursday morning. “I couldn't be happier with him. It was a straightforward final piece of work and he will go there on Saturday with no excuses,” he said. “It's true that before Epsom, I thought he was shaping more as a St Leger type. He's so straightforward at home, he never stood out in his work but, having said that, we always felt he was very good. On Derby Day, he showed us a turn-of-foot we hadn't seen before and he has sharpened up a lot for that experience.”

“Like everybody else, we've got a huge watching brief on this,” he added. “Everybody's wanting to know how good the three-year-olds are, particularly at a mile and a half. We would like to see what we are dealing with and I think the King George will provide the answers. Adayar is approaching his biggest challenge in tip-top condition and we are upbeat about accepting the challenge. His prep has been faultless. We have seen him maturing week on week. I believe he is physically stronger than he was at Epsom. When you see him in the paddock on Saturday, he won't look like a three-year-old against older horses. He looks like an older horse now.”

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Godolphin's Adayar is not the only 3-year-old in the field, as G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby second Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) also steps forward for Martyn Meade.

Rounding out the nine are the globetrotting Group 1 winners Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) from the William Haggas yard, John and Thady Gosden trainee Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}).

“I talked to John after Mishriff worked on Saturday and John was very happy with him,” said Ted Voute, racing manager for Prince Faisal on the $20-million Saudi Cup and G1 Dubai Sheema Classic scorer. “It has very much been left up to John where he runs next and, having discussed it with the Prince, Ascot looks the likely target.

“We want to win a Group 1 in England with Mishriff and you can't win one unless you run in them. He has beaten some very good horses from around the world and now is the time to see what he can do against the big battalions from England and Ireland in particular.”

The progressive dual Group 1-winning filly Wonderful Tonight (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) for David Menuisier. A notable absentee is G1 Coronation Cup victor Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) who suffered a setback.

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“The plan at the moment is that we're looking at running Love in the King George,” trainer Aidan O'Brien said from The Curragh. “Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) are also there, but Love is the most likely to run. Something else could run but I'm not sure just yet. Everything has gone well with her since Ascot.”

Another Coolmore partners-owned dual Classic winner, St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) is a possible starter in for the G1 Juddmonte International S. at York on Aug. 18 and the G1 Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown on Sept. 11. The colt won the G1 French 2000 Guineas and the G1 Prix du Jockey Club earlier this year before winning the G1 Coral-Eclipse S. at Sandown on July 3.

Added O'Brien, “”The lads haven't really decided yet what they want to do but York and Leopardstown would certainly be races we'll be looking at. We'll probably know more in another week where we are going.”

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Love, who was Ryan Moore's last European group 1-winning ride for Ballydoyle when taking the Yorkshire Oaks in August, first came to the fore when winning the G3 Silver Flash S. over seven furlongs at Leopardstown in July 2019. Fifth in the G2 Debutante S. at The Curragh before bouncing back to take the G1 Moyglare Stud S., she ended her juvenile campaign with a third in the G1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket in October prior to her perfect three-race 3-year-old campaign. She had to prove herself again here against a filly that has emerged from relative obscurity to regular in the highest league in the space of a year and had to do it on her own in front, but the ground was at least ideal for her to flow along and play catch-me-if-you-can.

Registering a 75th Royal Ascot victory, Aidan O'Brien said, “It was a little bit of a risk coming here with her first time, as often when you prepare them and then don't run them it can be a little bit tricky but we knew she was ready to run even if she wasn't cherry-ripe today. It was lovely to start her on beautiful ground and where better to start? When you do that you are a little bit vulnerable, so we're delighted with her. Ryan gave her a lovely ride–he had a balancing act, as he knew a good pace was going to suit Armory and she is very versatile and had made the running before. Ryan was happy to get a lead if someone wanted to, but it just happened that there wasn't anyone willing to. What was unusual when we were tacking her up was that we put a 52 girth on her and it wouldn't fit her, so we had to go back for a 54. That's unusual for a filly like her and obviously she's really filled into her chest. It's unusual to get a big, deep-girthed filly like that. She can go anywhere, there is the [July 24 G1] King George [VI and Queen Elizabeth S.] and the [G1] Eclipse [at Sandown July 3] and any of those races. She'll be very happy staying at this distance and also be happy going back up to a mile and a half, so we'll see what the lads want to do and how she comes out of this race. Armory had to be ridden patiently and gently and ran a great race, he just didn't quite get there.”

Audarya's trainer James Fanshawe said of the runner-up, “We are all absolutely thrilled–she's proven that she's progressed again from last year and is a really exciting prospect for the rest of the year. It looked at the furlong pole that we were going to give her a race and William said the pace wasn't actually that strong. We'll have a think about her next race, whether it's the [Aug. 22 G1 Prix] Jean Romanet or the [July 29 G1] Nassau [at Goodwood]. It'll be one of those races and we'll try and space them out.”

Love is a half-sister to Lucky Kristale (GB) (Lucky Story), who captured the G2 Lowther S. and G2 Cherry Hinton S., and a full-sister to this stable's G3 Stanerra S. winner Flattering (Ire) and the G3 Munster Oaks scorer Peach Tree (Ire). The dam Pikaboo (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) is a half-sister to the seven-furlong specialist and dual G2 Park S.-winning sire Arabian Gleam (GB) and the listed-winning and group-placed sprinter Kimberella (GB) by Pivotal's son Kyllachy (GB). She is also kin to Light Quest (Quest For Fame {GB}), who produced the G3 Prix Fille de l'Air scorer Skia (Fr) (Motivator {GB})–in turn responsible for the G2 Fuji S. winner and G1 Dubai Turf runner-up Vin de Garde (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn})–and the Singapore Gold Cup winner Tropaios (GB) (Excellent Art {GB}). Pikaboo is also a half to Cute (GB) (Diktat {GB}), the dam of the Listed Midsummer S. winner and G1 Prix d'Ispahan third Pogo (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}). This is also the family of the G1 English and Irish 2000 Guineas-winning champion miler and sire Don't Forget Me (Ire) (Ahonoora {GB}).

Wednesday, Royal Ascot, Britain
PRINCE OF WALES'S S.-G1, £700,000, Ascot, 6-16, 4yo/up, 9f 212yT, 2:06.86, g/f.
1–LOVE (IRE), 123, f, 4, by Galileo (Ire)
1st Dam: Pikaboo (GB), by Pivotal (GB)
2nd Dam: Gleam of Light (Ire), by Danehill
3rd Dam: Gold Runner, by Runnett (GB)
O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £396,970. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 3yo-Eur at 11-14f & G1SW-Ire, 11-7-1-1, $1,488,088. *Full to Peach Tree (Ire), GSW-Ire, $142,207; and Flattering (Ire), GSW-Ire, SP-Eng; and 1/2 to Lucky Kristale (GB) (Lucky Story), MGSW-Eng, $288,793. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Audarya (Fr), 123, m, 5, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Green Bananas (Fr), by Green Tune. (€125,000 Ylg '17 AROYRG). O-Mrs A M Swinburn; B-SARL Haras d'Ecouves (FR); T-James Fanshawe. £150,500.
3–Armory (Ire), 126, c, 4, Galileo (Ire)–After (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Coolmore (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £75,320.
Margins: 3/4, 3/4, 1 3/4. Odds: 1.10, 10.00, 2.50.
Also Ran: My Oberon (Ire), Desert Encounter (Ire), Sangarius (GB). Scratched: Lord North (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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