Another of Shadwell's daughters of Sea The Stars, the G1 Oaks and G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. winner Taghrooda (GB), produced a Kingman (GB) filly last year and is due to foal this season to Lope De Vega (Ire) on a late cover, after which she will be rested. It was announced last week that Taghrooda's second foal, the twice-winning Almighwar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), would take up stud duties at Garryrichard Stud.

Shadwell sends its five-length G1 Prix Saint Alary winner Tawkeel (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) to Sea The Stars this year after she foals a Dubawi.

Among the Shadwell mares expecting Kingman babies this season are the five-time group-winning stayer Enbihaar (Ire) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}); Handassa (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), the dam of the dual Group 1-winning Nazeef (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}); and the multiple group-winning Tarfasha (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). Handassa is booked back to Kingman for 2022, while Tarfasha visits Ghaiyyath (Ire) and Enbihaar visits Mohaather (GB). She is among a handful of high-quality mares that Shadwell is sending to its G1 Sussex S. winner, and those also include the aforementioned Nazeef.

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Godolphin's Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) has perhaps shown the greatest appetite for significant ease in the surface and has the stamina capacity to promote his chances, while The Aga Khan's Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal) overcame heavy ground to barnstorm the G1 Prix de l'Opera on this fixture 12 months ago. Epsom marvels Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) pounded through rain-afflicted going in the first week of June, but this is the first week of October and there will be no feedback from the turf if the whole of the predicted 30-plus millimetres descends from the leaden skies.

Japan's quest to end decades of hurt depends not only on the relative skillsets of Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}) and Deep Bond (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}), but also on their ability to carry themselves on going that is significantly softer than they have encountered in competitive action. Undone in all but four of the domestic middle-distance Group 1s in 2021 and with that quartet absent from this line-up, France appear to have surrendered all hope of landing the precious centennial renewal but at least their outsiders with a squeak understand how to operate on this ground. In the year that Sheikh Hamdan was lost to the racing world, it is not impossible that the talented filly Raabihah (Sea the Stars {Ire}) could provide a romantic fable in the Shadwell silks.

This ability to endure the final drag of a long season is what makes the Arc the most formidable of all racing's peaks and crests. It is the strength to make the summit which separates the legends from the almost mighty and so we go again towards the culmination of the ultimate ambition. There is very little separating what is largely viewed as the leading quartet, with Godolphin's aider and abbettor looking to add to their remarkable combined haul of Epsom Derby, Irish Derby, Grand Prix de Paris, King George and St Leger; Dermot Weld's fully-mature cruise missile seeking to implement her trainer's masterplan; and Ballydoyle's prima ballerina poised to leap in as she did when tearing up the established Group 1 script in the Oaks.

As the first representatives of Frankel to go to the Arc with leading prospects, there is a weight of expectation on the able shoulders of Adayar and Hurricane Lane and little in the way of past precedent to dampen the flames. As an awesome combination, they are Godolphin's best chance of winning this prize since the great Sakhee (Bahri) a whole 20 years ago. Hurricane Lane came alive on very soft ground when ripping up the course-and-distance Grand Prix de Paris July 14 and carried his class over the extreme Classic trip of Doncaster's G1 St Leger Sept. 11, so further easing underfoot only serves to strengthen his credentials. Adayar was so impressive when holding Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) when it was fast at Ascot July 24 that it seems almost improbable that he can translate that superiority to the other extreme, but at present he retains the freak factor his illustrious sire made his trademark.

Charlie Appleby was interviewed as he awaited the opening group race at the track on Saturday–in which he enjoyed a one-two as a welcome portent–and he admitted that a serious worsening of the ground may swing the balance in Hurricane Lane's favour. “Both Frankie and James said it's holding ground, so we'll just have to see how things play out,” he said. “They're predicting up to 40 millimetres of rain. If that arrives on top of opened-up ground, whether you can find a fresh strip or not it'll be heavy, there's no doubt about it. The only horse I would say will probably like it is Hurricane Lane. He will like soft ground and it's going to become a staying race, isn't it? We know the soft ground is going to suit him and we know if it becomes a stamina-sapping Arc, he has already proven he has stamina in abundance. It's a double positive for him.”

“Adayar is in great order and we've seen him win on good-to-soft and he won his maiden last year on soft, but obviously that was not the same level. We are certainly happier being on soft rather than quick ground going into an Arc, but if it got heavy it wouldn't be a positive for him.”

As is the case with many of The Aga Khan's products, Tarnawa gets ample stamina from her distaff side and showed that deep ground does not blunt her finishing surge as it can lesser lights in the Opera 12 months ago. Her ostentatious comeback over this trip came on yielding-to-soft in the G3 Ballyroan S. at Leopardstown Aug. 5, but there is a chance that a severe stamina test in this echelon may stretch the elastic of a daughter of Shamardal beyond its capacity. Christophe Soumillon has ample time to work out his closing act from an ideal inner draw and then it will be in the lap of the gods up ParisLongchamp's home straight. If she manages to carve out an Arc win on demanding turf just three weeks after virtually matching the sprint of St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) on quick going in the G1 Irish Champion S., she will deserve every plaudit available.

“Tarnawa is very well and I'm satisfied with her in every possible way,” trainer Dermot Weld said. “Her preparation has gone very well. She takes her training very well and it's been very straightforward since Leopardstown. She's a very fit filly and I've been very happy with her.”

While the Arc used to be about the 3-year-old colts, the earth spun on its axis in 2008 with the arrival of Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) and the equally effervescent Snowfall bids to become the fourth of that age and sex to prevail subsequently. Remarkably, since 2011 there have been seven renewals won by fillies and that is in keeping with the general momentum shift away from the opposite sex. Whether Snowfall would have beaten Adayar at Epsom a day later is a matter of conjecture, but the manner of her 16-length victory in one of Europe's oldest Classics defies belief. After following the plan in the July 17 G1 Irish Oaks at The Curragh and the Aug. 19 G1 Yorkshire Oaks, she was unexpectedly undone by Teona (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in the course-and-distance G1 Prix Vermeille Sept. 12 and her prior invulnerability disappeared overnight.

Despite the shock of that defeat, the fact remains that several of this race's heroes and heroines were coming off a similar reversal and Aidan O'Brien remains convinced that she retains the star material required. “I think she's a filly that gets a mile and a half well and acts on soft ground and on her Epsom run you could say she's better on it,” he said. “Last time was a completely different set of circumstances in a slowly-run race on quickish ground.”

There is a feeling of a second tier after that foursome, with Chrono Genesis having to prove an aptitude for easy ground and the Sept. 12 G2 Prix Foy first and second Deep Bond (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) and Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) needing to step up markedly on past form to have a serious impact. M M Stables' Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) has at least proven himself on heavy ground when winning the G2 King Edward VII S. at Royal Ascot June 18 and had the withdrawn Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) behind on a sound surface when runner-up to Mishriff in the G1 Juddmonte International S. at York Aug. 18.

“I'm really looking forward to riding him and I think he'll run a really big race,” Alenquer's jockey Tom Marquand said. “Whether that is good enough to put him in the frame, I don't know, because it's one of the best Arcs of my lifetime and we won't know until the race. We've got a good gate, so fingers crossed it all goes well. He's had an interrupted prep, which wasn't ideal. He ran well at York behind Mishriff, beating the rest convincingly, but it's the Arc and it certainly won't be easy.”

The aforementioned Raabihah, who was just over four-lengths fifth in this last year, bounced back to form upped in trip again last time when beating Saturday's G1 Prix de Royallieu protagonists Joie de Soir (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and Valia (Fr) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in the 12 1/2-furlong G2 Prix de Pomone at Deauville Aug. 22. On a line through the fourth Silence Please (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), the Jean-Claude Rouget trainee could theoretically be closer to Tarnawa now than she was when three-lengths second to her in the 2020 G1 Prix Vermeille.

Juveniles Set to Shine

Sunday's action begins with the G1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac, where Andre Fabre looks to pitch his highly-regarded 'TDN Rising Star' Raclette (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in at the deep end following two impressive wins at Deauville Aug. 8 and at Chantilly Sept. 17. She registered a four-length success from the smart colt Welwal (GB) (Shalaa {Ire}) on soft in the latter contest, but significant rain might yet lead to the withdrawal of Juddmonte's daughter of the four-times Grade I heroine Emollient (Empire Maker). Where Raclette is all promise, Scott Heider's Agartha (Ire) (Caravaggio) is a rock of experience already having dominated the G3 Silver Flash S. at Leopardstown July 22 and The Curragh's G2 Debutante S. Aug. 21 and run second to Discoveries (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. back at the latter venue Sept. 12. “Agartha has had a great season, she looks ready for this longer trip and looks to set the bar for the rest of them to come up to,” trainer Joseph O'Brien said. “There is a lot of rain due, but it isn't a big concern for her. Hopefully she runs another big race.”

Andre Fabre also saddles Godolphin's Fleur D'Iris (GB) (Shamardal) and Al Wasmiyah Farm's Zellie (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who were first and second in the G3 Prix d'Aumale over this track and trip Sept. 9. The former holds the re-opposing Aug. 3 G3 Prix Six Perfections winner Oscula (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) on the form of the G2 Prix du Calvados at Deauville Aug. 21, where they were second and third behind the G1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere-bound Accakaba (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). Godolphin's Lisa-Jane Graffard said, “Fleur d'Iris was very dominant in the trial for this race on her latest start. This is a big step up against some seasoned 2-year-old opposition, but she is in good form and won on very soft ground at Compiegne in July.”

Merry Fox Stud Limited's Acer Alley (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) beat the subsequent G3 Prix Thomas Bryon runner-up Making Moovies (Ire) (Dabirsim {Fr}) and the G3 Prix de Conde winner El Bodegon (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in the seven-furlong G3 Prix la Rochette here Sept. 5 and is firmly in the mix. George Strawbridge's 'TDN Rising Star' Natasha (GB) (Frankel {GB}) will find this far harder than her easy novice wins at Kempton Aug. 20 and Sandown Sept. 10, but the Gosden representative has obvious potential as a half-sister to Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}).

The Wertheimers' aforementioned unbeaten filly Accakaba takes on the colts in the Lagardere, with the mile of the Marcel Boussac possibly beyond her stamina reserves at present. Al Shaqab's G1 Phoenix S. hero Ebro River (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) has to prove he stays this seven-furlong trip, having been worn down late by Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) as Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) disappeared into the distance in the G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National S. at The Curragh Sept. 12. “I'm really looking forward to it–he's in great form,” trainer Hugo Palmer commented. “His last bit of work was good and he looked tremendous on Friday morning. He's got a nice draw. We're really excited about it.”

Marc Chan's Angel Bleu (Fr) (Dark Angel {Ire}) has been off since winning the G2 Vintage S. at Goodwood July 27 and the easier the ground the stronger his claims according to trainer Ralph Beckett. “Angel Bleu knows more about the game than I do now,” he commented. “I think he and Ebro River have run more than the rest of the field in the Lagardere combined. I think he'll run well, particularly with this forecast. We always felt after Goodwood that the Lagardere was the right spot for him.”

Coolmore and Westerberg's Sept. 9 G3 Prix des Chenes scorer Ancient Rome (War Front) drops in trip and Andre Fabre said of him, “Seven furlongs is a bit sharp for him, but we will see how we go. He could be a prospect for the Breeders' Cup or the Group 1 [Criterium International] in Saint-Cloud.”

Charlie Appleby seems to hold the upper hand with his juvenile colts at present and sends the Sept. 10 Listed Flying Scotsman S. winner Noble Truth (Fr) (Kingman {GB}) into battle here, while Aidan O'Brien who has won this eight times in its present guise and as the Grand Criterium saddles Peter Brant, Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor's Sept. 11 G2 Champions Juvenile S. runner-up Stone Age (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Appleby said of the former, “I feel that Noble Truth doesn't look out of place in this field. He is a strong galloper who can maintain it. I think we will allow him to use that gallop more this time rather than trying to take him back. He goes into this in decent shape and we are hopeful of a good performance.”

Audarya Aims at Consecutive Operas

Post-Arc, the G1 Prix de l'Opera Longines gets the ball rolling again with Alison Swinburn's GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine Audarya (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) looking to supplement both that victory and last year's G1 Prix Jean Romanet. Performing up to standard when second to Love in Royal Ascot's G1 Prince of Wales's S. June 16 and to Grand Glory (GB) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) in the latest renewal of the Romanet at Deauville Aug. 22, the 5-year-old was below-par in between when fifth in Goodwood's G1 Nassau S. July 29. James Fanshawe said of Audarya, “Obviously, we'd all like better ground but she has run well on it before. She ran well there last year. Her best form is on that quick ground, but she doesn't mind the soft.”

Third behind Lady Bowthorpe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and Zeyaadah (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) in the Nassau, Joan of Arc (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is back in her comfort zone after trailing in last of seven in the G1 Prix Vermeille over a mile and a half here Sept. 12. Her defeat of Philomene (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Burgarita (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and 'TDN Rising Star' Sibila Spain (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the G1 Prix de Diane over 10 1/2 furlongs at Chantilly June 20 puts her in prime position. “She's come out of the race well from the last day–we think a mile and a half was too far for her, so going back to a mile and a quarter we think should suit her well,” the Ballydoyle handler explained. “She likes to be ridden forward and she usually gets the trip well. The last day was a little bit of a mess, so we'll just put a line through that.”

Joan of Arc's compatriot Thundering Nights (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) adds more ballast as the winner of the G1 Pretty Polly S. at The Curragh June 27 and even though she has been upstaged on her next two starts, remains a leading player. “Thundering Nights is another filly that has had a big season for us and she was a bit below form in the Blandford S. last time, but she was carrying a penalty and the race didn't really go her way,” trainer Joseph O'Brien said. “She is better than she showed there and can hopefully show it in this. She is one that won't have too many worries if the forecast rain arrives.”

Arguably Germany's star turn on the fixture is Gestut Etzean's unbeaten Palmas (Ger) (Lord of England {Ger}), who registered a six-length success in the G1 Preis der Diana over another furlong at Dusseldorf at the start of August and at this stage is an unknown quantity.

Speed to Spare

In the G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp Longines, King Power's Winter Power (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) bids to repeat her antics in York's G1 Nunthorpe S. Aug. 20 where she had the subsequent G1 Haydock Sprint Cup hero Emaraaty Ana (GB) (Shamardal) in second and Suesa (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) in fourth. Only 10th on her next start in the G1 Flying Five at The Curragh Sept. 12, the grey will find it easier to boss this strip. “She's in good order,” trainer Tim Easterby said. “The track should suit and she should run well, fingers crossed. The ground will be okay for her and we'll see how the draw pans out, with a lot of the fancied horses drawn high.”

George Strawbridge took this with Silver Fling (The Minstrel) in 1989 and has reason to believe he can prevail again with Suesa, who came into her own when winning the G2 King George S. over this five-furlong trip at Goodwood July 30. Only fourth in the Nunthorpe, she may find the best compromise with the leaders slowed down by the ground over this distance and she is drawn near enough to Winter Power to get a tow into the closing stages. “She came back well from York and has got some freshness,” trainer Francois Rohaut said. “She worked well last week and everything is okay with her. One thing is sure–the draw is better for her than in York, because her draw there was awful for us. She is drawn 12, but I think all the good horses are drawn on the outside so it's a good number for me.”

Successful in 2019 and a neck second last term, Bearstone Stud's Glass Slippers (GB) (Dream Ahead) is back for more having finished third in Goodwood's King George and in the Flying Five. Ahead of her on the latter occasion was Clipper Logistics Group's Romantic Proposal (Ire) (Raven's Pass) and Gary Devlin's A Case of You (Ire) (Hot Streak {Ire}), who are both progressive Irish sprinters certain to be suited by the run of the race. Eddie Lynam said of Romantic Proposal, “She's in good form. She ran the best race of her career the last day, so I hope we are as lucky again and things pan out for her.”

“She has no problem with ease in the ground, but I am very concerned it's going to get heavy over there and we've got a high draw,” Lynam added. “It does make it difficult, but Mabs Cross won from that draw. Let's hope they have over-shot the amount of rain they are going to get, but all the weather forecasts look very bad and it could come up very soft. She goes on good-to-soft, summer soft. I'd just be worried if it got into a bog.”

Foret Draw Key

If there is a race on the card where the draw is vital, it is the seven-furlong G1 Qatar Prix de la Foret and Haras de Saint Pair's Pearls Galore (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) has the edge in that respect from stall five. Having proven her ability at this level when splitting No Speak Alexander (Ire) (Shalaa {Ire}) and Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in second in the G1 Matron S. at Leopardstown Sept. 11, the Paddy Twomey-trained homebred is a strong stayer at this trip as she proved when taking the G3 Brownstown S. at Fairyhouse July 11 and the G3 Fairy Bridge S. at Tipperary Aug. 26.

Godolphin's 'TDN Rising Star' Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) has been aimed at this since 2018 only to miss the date and his only previous visit to this track resulted in a win in the 2020 G3 Prix de la Porte Maillot at this distance. Last year's G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest and G2 Lennox S. winner was back to winning ways in the G2 City of York S. at York last time Aug. 21 and his 10 draw is not necessarily a disadvantage given that he is a hold-up merchant. “This is a race I have been trying to get Space Blues to run in for the last three years, but unfortunately he has met with a setback on each occasion,” Charlie Appleby explained. “We have put him in bubble wrap since the City of York S. and he goes into this in great shape. He looked fantastic in his work during the week. He loves soft ground, but it's the last group race of the day and it could be a war of attrition looking at the forecast. I'm pleased with his draw in stall 10 and William Buick knows him inside out.”

If Space Blues is not entirely compromised by the draw, that is the case for The Aga Khan's Sagamiyra (Fr) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) who has only one rival on her outer in 15. She had Speak of the Devil (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) a short head back in third when runner-up in the G1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville Aug. 3 and confirmed her superiority over that rival when winning the course-and-distance G3 Prix du Pin Sept. 12. Giving the impression of an improver, the Mikel Delzangles-trained homebred will nevertheless need all the luck to prevail in a renewal featuring two other TDN Rising Stars in Thunder Moon (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}).

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A 4-year-old filly, Raabihah was fifth in the 2020 Arc after taking the G3 Prix de Psyche last August and running second in the Sept. 13 G1 Qatar Prix Vermeille. Prior to her victory in Sunday's G2 Prix de Pomone, the chestnut was second thrice as the favourite in the May 2 G3 Prix Allez France Longines, the May 26 G2 Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud and in the Listed Prix du Pays d'Auge at Clairefontaine on Aug. 1. She is also a possible for the G1 Qatar Prix Vermeille on Sept. 12.

“I'd love to think we can have another crack at the Arc–that was the reason she was kept in training,” said Gold. “She got beat a couple of times earlier this season. But as (trainer) Jean-Claude (Rouget) said to me yesterday, sometimes with these fillies who have a relatively hard time at three–she was racing at the top table–it can just take them a while to get back to that level.

“We gave her a break at the stud, and it's just taken her three runs to get back up to speed. The distance yesterday is exactly what she should be running over on pedigree.

“It was great to get her back on track, and I don't see any reason why she wouldn't go for the Arc. Jean-Claude just wants to see how she comes out of it first before deciding whether she runs in the Vermeille first or not.”

Undefeated G3 Bonhams Thoroughbred S. hero Baaeed is in good form for trainer William Haggas. A half-brother to triple Group 3 winner Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the colt won a maiden at Leicester on June 7 and doubled up in a Newmarket novice on June 19. Given a first taste of stakes company on July 8, he captured the Listed Sir Henry Cecil S. over a mile at HQ by four lengths. His winning margin in the Bonhams Thoroughbred S. was 6 ½ lengths, also at a mile at Goodwood.

“At the moment we are probably going to the Prix du Moulin, that was the latest from the last conversation I had with Sheikha Hissa and William Haggas,” Gold said of Baaeed. “So the number one plan is to go to the Moulin if all is well.

“Obviously before the horse had run it would have been a silly thing to say this is what he would do, but he was a well-bred horse going into it. It just took him a bit of time to come to himself.

“What probably has surprised me is the speed he's shown–maybe it's just class. Before he'd ever ran I'd have thought he was probably going to be a mile-and-a-quarter to mile-and-a-half horse, so to see him doing all this over a mile is hugely encouraging.

“It's a not problem to have but he's showing too much speed, if that makes sense. He's a very exciting horse so we'll see if he can take the next step up.”

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Raabihah's run of five defeats included a second in last term's G1 Prix Vermeille and a fifth in ParisLongchamp's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, with this year's renewals of both contests now back on the radar, and a run of three seconds in May 2 G3 Prix Allex France back at the Bois de Boulogne venue, Saint-Cloud's May 26 G2 Prix Corrida and Clairefontaine's Aug. 1 Listed Prix du Pays d'Auge leading up to this redemption.

“With regard to her performances this year, I think she lacked a bit of her old sparkle,” reflected trainer Jean-Claude Rouget. “If you go back to last year she started her season very early at Cagnes-sur-Mer and ended in the Arc so it was a very long campaign. She had to pay for it at some point, it took its toll in the spring and she earned her little break at the beginning of the summer. She is obviously now back to her best and in time for the major races in the autumn. I didn't hesitate to nominate this race, rather than go for the [G1] Prix Jean Romanet because I feel this longer trip suits her much better. I don't know for certain which race she will go for next, but it could be the [Sept X G1] Prix Vermeille [back at ParisLongchamp].”

Raabihah, one of two winners and the leading performer produced by Garmoosha (Kingmambo), is a half-sister to Listed Wait A While S. placegetter Filfila (Kitten's Joy), the unraced 2-year-old filly Rihaaf (Kitten's Joy), a yearling filly by More Than Ready and a weanling filly by Noble Mission (GB). Her dam is an unraced half to G1 Fillies' Mile third Firdaws (Mr. Greeley) out of G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Eswarah (GB) (Unfuwain), who in turn is a daughter of MG1SW G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Midway Lady (Alleged). The latter also produced G1 Irish 1000 Guineas third Umniyatee (GB) (Green Desert) and G3 Princess Royal S. victrix Itnab (GB) (Green Desert), who in turn is the dam of stakes-winning G3 Al Shindagha Sprint runner-up Alazeyab (El Prado {Ire}) and Peruvian Group 3 placegetter Madera de Guerrero (Street Cry {Ire}). Descendants of Umniyatee include Argentina's G1 Presidente da Republica victor Maltes (Brz) (Red Runner).

Sunday, Deauville, France
DARLEY PRIX DE POMONE-G2, €130,000, Deauville, 8-22, 3yo/up, f/m, 12 1/2fT, 2:43.46, g/s.
1–RAABIHAH, 130, f, 4, by Sea the Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Garmoosha, by Kingmambo
2nd Dam: Eswarah (GB), by Unfuwain
3rd Dam: Midway Lady, by Alleged
O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Shadwell Farm LLC (KY); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Cristian Demuro. €74,100. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Fr, 10-4-4-0, €419,962. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Joie de Soir (Ire), 121, f, 3, Fastnet Rock (Aus)–Highest Ever (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Coolmore Stud (IRE); T-Andre Fabre. €28,600.
3–Valia (Fr), 130, f, 4, Sea the Stars (Ire)–Veda (Fr), by Dansili (GB). O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC (FR); T-Alain de Royer-Dupre. €13,650.
Margins: 2HF, SNK, 5. Odds: 2.90, 2.20, 2.00.
Also Ran: Silence Please (Ire), Katara (Fr), Mystery Angel (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Raabihah, who was also successful in Deauville's 10-furlong G3 Prix de Psyche in August and second to Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal) in the G1 Prix Vermeille and fifth in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe over a mile and a half at ParisLongchamp, remains an exciting prospect at four for the Jean-Claude Rouget stable. They both have to contend with Masaaki Matsushima's impressive Listed Prix Dahlia winner Amarena (Fr) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), who showed how much she relishes this ground when winning that 10-furlong contest here in October and who is entitled to take a step forward for her return fifth in ParisLongchamp's Listed Prix Zarkava over this trip Apr. 11.

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Twelve months ago, the bay with more than a just quantity of Northern Dancer-Sadler’s Wells-Galileo blood was denied the improbable hat-trick by a combination of factors. Similarly wet ground and a peaking Fabre project in Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) robbed her of the ultimate accolade and a year on the obstacles are both the same and different. While the going cannot be used as an excuse for a daughter of the easy-ground specialist Nathaniel who boasts two King Georges, an Arc and a Yorkshire Oaks on a surface softer than good, there is always the possibility of a dormant threat among the opposition.

Frankie is aware of the obstacles in the way of the mare who is so close to his heart. “For me, if I can win the third Arc, it is all for her. I will work hard to try to achieve that for her as I want her to be remembered as one of the all-time greats,” he explained. “She can only be called that if she wins a third Arc. She came so close last year and we will now roll the dice again. I actually don’t feel as nervous, as last year we were going for three in a row. Now that she has been beaten in the race last year, it takes a bit of pressure off. She has stayed in training for one reason and one reason only, and that is for a third win in the Arc.”

“She picked up a third King George along the way which was great, as that was another record, and I think John has got Enable in the best condition he can. I think we have her where we want her,” her rider added. “There is a lot of rain forecast at the moment and it depends how much we get. For sure it will be soft and it could be the extreme of very soft. That would put stamina into the equation and Stradivarius could come into the picture. He bolted up in the Ascot Gold Cup on soft ground and he is doing really well at the moment, so he would be a big threat which we have to respect. Enable is in a good frame of mind, though. She is aggressive at home, which is always a good sign with her. She seems in a good place.”

John Gosden added, “She travelled fine and everything has been fine. It’s just a shame about the ground. She prefers the easy side of good, so she can show her class, but it is going to be a bit of a slog. It is drying up now and it is tacky, but you might get another shower or two. It is Longchamp, by the River Seine–it is deep. We’re here and we’re trying. Let’s hope she gets a great run round and if she wins, marvellous, if she doesn’t, she couldn’t have done more for racing. These great racemares, they give everyone so much pleasure to see and race.”

(The quartet of Ballydoyle Arc runners were withdrawn late Saturday evening due to contaminated feed.)

As easy as it is to imagine a scenario where Frankie has time to glance around at the furlong pole as she careers towards impressive victory, the mind’s eye can also envisage a decisive home-straight surge from the likes of the aptly-named In Swoop (Ire) (Adlerflug {Ger}). Western Europe’s weather is currently so dire it could come down to a question of who can swim and the G1 Deutsches Derby hero certainly can. Or can Enable’s comrade Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) with all those Wildenstein staying genes come through as he did in his sensational 10-length G1 Gold Cup success? Just as Enable’s campaigning had led to this juncture, so Bjorn Nielsen’s elite stayer seems to have been steered in this direction with fateful accuracy. Left out of the Arc picture until this year, the best of his kind since Ardross (Ire) who went so close in 1982 has not taken the easy option but can it pay off? As Robert Frost penned, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.”

“Enable’s got a pal in there called Stradivarius and he’s a similar, wonderful, consistent performer at Group 1 level. It’s a pleasure to have them both there,” Gosden said. “If he handles the ground, he will run a big race. Frankie has called me and said it’s pretty desperate ground, so I’m going to go to the inside but there are three races before us. May the best horse win, whoever it is.”

Then there is the Fabre factor, with the inclusion of Persian King (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) so leftfield it is almost too bizarre to ignore. Andre is the undisputed King of the Arc and he continues to defy the perceived “knowledge” well into his seventies. Few who witnessed the highly-talented 4-year-old’s powerplay in the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp over a mile could have foreseen a tilt at this great stamina test, but when it comes to the master of Chantilly we all bend. No doubt he has seen something in the conditioning of Godolphin and Ballymore Thoroughbreds’ imposing bay that makes this a gamble worth taking. The very fact that he is here is confirmation of where the race still stands in the pantheon of monuments globally. Of the nine French-trained winners since the turn of the millennium, Fabre was responsible for a trio and he is generally the first port of call when it comes to home pride. Persian King also has the assistance of “PC” in the saddle and last year’s Arc weekend demonstrated just what an advantage that can be.

Domestic hopes also reside with Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Raabihah (Sea the Stars {Ire}) from Southern France’s guru Jean-Claude Rouget and the former has vital experience of combat in this particular arena. Toughing it out when third as a still raw 3-year-old in the mud last year, Peter Brant’s flag-bearer has just 1 1/4 lengths to make up on Enable from 2019. It is worth bearing in mind that Waldgeist was beaten further by her in 2018 before emerging stronger a year on to reverse the form. If he is successful, Sottsass will be the first winner of the “new” G1 Prix du Jockey Club to prevail in this since its distance was diminished to 10 1/2 furlongs in 2005. He is the stable’s number one, with Shadwell’s Raabihah untried on ground slower than good-to-soft and needing a significant upgrade on her latest second in the course-and-distance G1 Prix Vermeille Sept. 13.

“I’m of the opinion that Sottsass is on much better terms with himself at this stage of the season,” Rouget commented. “This year, I haven’t managed to get him in the same condition as he is in now, owing to a racing calendar which has been perturbed by the pandemic. However, neither have I wished to go overboard, so as to ensure that that he’s a fresh horse come the Arc, which has always been his objective. Raabihah is similarly in peak condition. Our only question mark is the ground. This isn’t in the sense that she would be inconvenienced by a heavy track–we simply don’t know, because she has yet to tackle very soft conditions.”

ParisLongchamp’s card kicks off with the G1 Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere, where Marie McCartan’s Jun3 20 G2 Coventry S. winner and Aug. 23 G1 Prix Morny runner-up Nando Parrado (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) steps up to seven furlongs for the first time. Now that Ballydoyle’s St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) has been withdrawn, the Clive Cox runner faces an easier task and his trainer commented, “I’m very pleased, because he is in excellent form and it gives me confidence knowing that he will handle the conditions–that is a great plus, given the weather forecast.”

French representation had looked weak there and only slightly better among the fillies assembled for the G1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac before the O’Brien defections, but with John Oxley’s Pretty Gorgeous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}) now scratched France’s main contender King’s Harlequin (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) comes firmly into the equation. Racing in the Sangster silks, she has to turn around the form of her defeat when third to Fev Rover (Ire) (Gutaifan {Ire}) in the G2 Prix du Calvados over seven furlongs at Deauville Aug. 22. Fev Rover’s syndicate manager Nick Bradley said, “She’s in serious form at home. I spoke to Richard [Fahey] on Friday morning and she’s a lot more professional than when Ben [Curtis] last rode her at Sandown.” King’s Harlequin at least has course-and-distance winning form, having subsequently beaten ‘TDN Rising Star’ Harajuku (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Coeursamba (Fr) (The Wow Signal {Ire}) in the Sept. 10 G3 Prix d’Aumale. The latter was bought on Saturday evening for €400,000 at the Arqana Arc Sale by Haras du Saubouas on behalf of Mohamed Fahad Al Attiyah.

The G1 Prix de l’Opera Longines is another race to lose out due to the O’Brien withdrawals, with the fascinating rematch between the July 5 G1 Prix de Diane one-two Fancy Blue (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) now shelved with the former’s trainer Donnacha forced to bypass the contest. The Niarchos Family’s G1 Coronation S. heroine Alpine Star has since run Palace Pier (GB) (Kingman {GB}) to 3/4 of a length when runner-up in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois on heavy going at Deauville Aug. 16 and will relish the step back up in trip. Not that the Opera was a two-horse race, as one of the best renewals of recent times also sees Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s unbeaten June 14 G1 Prix Saint Alary and Aug. 22 G2 Prix de la Nonette winner Tawkeel (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) line up alongside The Aga Khan’s impressive Prix Vermeille heroine Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal). Tawkeel’s trainer Jean-Claude Rouget said, “She doesn’t share that characteristic that has bedevilled other members of the same family that I’ve trained, in the sense that they’ve made flying starts to their career which they haven’t backed up,” he said. “She, on the contrary, has done nothing but progress and each time she has astonished me.”

Alongside Love, the card is also missing another celebrity due to the ground in Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) who was understandably removed from the G1 Prix de l’Abbaye de Longchamp Longines picture having flopped when 14th in similar conditions 12 months ago. Impressive when successful on that occasion, Bearstone Stud’s Glass Slippers (GB) (Dream Ahead) was back to winning ways in The Curragh’s G1 Flying Five Sept. 13 and on the face of it might only have to reproduce that form to bring up back-to-back successes. “It was soft ground last year and she won it well,” jockey Tom Eaves said. “She has come out of Ireland well and we are looking forward to Sunday. She’s in good form and came to herself at this time last year.” This is far from a strong edition of the five-furlong sprint and the Flying Five runner-up Keep Busy (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}) and fifth Make a Challenge (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) look the most realistic threats.

Where the Abbaye lacks depth, there is a fascinating renewal of the G1 Qatar Prix de la Foret to bring the top-level action to a close as Godolphin’s Earthlight (Ire) (Shamardal) returns to the course and distance of his easy win in the Sept. 13 G3 Prix du Pin. Not out of second gear when beating the fellow Andre Fabre-trained Tropbeau (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), last year’s G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park S. winner has come off worse in the draw than the winner of the last two renewals of this, One Master (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). “Earthlight is in the best form he has been in all year,” Andre Fabre said. “Mickael commented after his last piece of work that he feels better than ever, both mentally and physically. He is a laid-back horse, but with a devastating turn of foot and I am hopeful of a very good run here. My only concerns are around the level of form of the 3-year-olds this year.”

At home on easy ground, Lael Stable’s One Master looks as good as ever, but was 3 1/2-lengths second to Ross Harmon’s Safe Voyage (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}) in the Aug. 22 G2 City of York S. and there is no obvious reason for her to reverse that. Safe Voyage, who also acts on deep ground, has since won Leopardstown’s G2 Boomerang Mile Sept. 12 and has the extra stamina that may be a prized asset in these conditions.

Click here for the group fields.

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Sottsass, who was third last year, is bidding to fulfil a long-held ambition of owner Peter Brant who said, “I can only say of any race in the world, I would most like to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, mostly because it’s kind of the European championship in many ways. He’s won on all different kinds of grounds–soft and firm. I think he broke the track record for the French Derby and he won impressively beating Persian King, who’s proven himself to be a very good horse. It’s a very good field and I think he’s an excellent horse. I think Jean-Claude Rouget has really pointed the horse to this race and as he does many times, he picks a spot that he’s going to run to. He’s a very sound horse, I don’t think he’s been overtrained or undertrained and I think he goes to the race well. Last year the grass was a bit new and it wasn’t a really good course to run on. I think Enable suffered running on that course, but there were great horses in the race and it was a great race.”

Gestut Schlenderhan’s G1 Deutsches Derby hero In Swoop (Ire) (Adlerflug {Ger}), who has been the subject of a gamble after the ground turned testing, is drawn in one and bids to become the first winner from that rail draw since Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) in 2008. Showing the same dramatic surge of acceleration to be second in the Sept. 13 G1 Grand Prix de Paris as he had when taking the July 12 Hamburg Classic, the lightly-raced homebred was reported in rude health by trainer Francis-Henri Graffard. “His whole family–as well as his sire–adored soft conditions, so hopefully he isn’t a complete outlier,” he told the Racing Post. “There was some cut in the ground at Lyon when he ran there in June and he ran well. He had his final gallop on Monday morning on a very soft track and it didn’t bother him, so I don’t expect it to be a problem. He needed the run last time and has come forward plenty since then. I’m very happy with the shape he’s in.” Jockey Ronan Thomas also told the Post, “The Grand Prix de Paris was a very interesting race, as it brought together the various form lines of all the European Derbys. He’s a big horse and wasn’t completely comfortable coming down the hill on fast ground, but once he found his stride he finished in quite remarkable fashion, especially in the final 200 metres. In his work so far, he hasn’t struggled with soft ground and he has remained very well-balanced, while his action is more fluid than on quick ground.”

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“Sottsass and Raabihah both worked well this morning,” Rouget told the France Galop notes team. “I’m of the opinion that Sottsass is on much better terms with himself at this stage of the season. His race in Ireland did him a power of good. He should give a good account of himself on Sunday.

“As things stand, I have [him] in the same condition as last year; so I’m rediscovering the same horse as I did in the lead up to the 2019 race. This year, I haven’t managed to get in the same condition as now owing to the racing calendar which has been perturbed by the pandemic. However, neither have I wished to go overboard, so as to ensure that that he’s a fresh horse come the Arc, which has always been his objective.

“He knows the score, having acquitted himself well in the race last season, so he has the right to be concerned at the finish again. I share the opinion that he hasn’t shown the required level of form to win the Arc this season, but I believe that he will run well and finish in the first three.”

A winner when unveiled in January, Raabihah added the Listed Prix de la Seine in May and, although only fourth in the G1 Prix de Diane on July 5, bounced back with a win in the G3 Prix de Psyche. She was second in the Sept. 13 G1 Prix Vermeille at ParisLongchamp, her first attempt at the Arc distance.

Added Rouget, “Raabihah is similarly in peak condition. Our only question mark is the ground. This isn’t in the sense that she would be inconvenienced by a heavy track; for we simply don’t know as she has yet to tackle very soft conditions.”

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“I think what we have seen here today is a Group 1 filly,” said winning trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, who sent out Luna Kya (Fr) (Kendor {Fr}) to win this in 2001 and subsequent MGISW distaffer Zagora (Fr) (Green Tune) in 2010. “We knew that before, of course, but we missed the opportunity to win a big one in the Diane where she had an awful trip and didn’t have enough experience to get herself out of trouble. We have been in racing long enough to know that these things happen. The pace was good today and the further she was going the more she was opening up on the rest.”

Rouget is now zoning in on targets back at the highest level with October’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe the ultimate goal this year. “For me, she is the best French filly around and she’s not even running over her distance. We know she is a genuine mile-and-a-half filly, with her second and third dams both being Oaks winners, and the plan is to now go straight to the [Sept. 13 G1 Prix] Vermeille and then the [Oct. 4 G1 Prix de l’] Arc [de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp].”

Raabihah is one of two winners and the leading performer produced by Garmoosha (Kingmambo), who was bred to Noble Mission (GB) this year. The fourth of six foals, she is a half-sister to Listed Wait A While S. third Filfila (Kitten’s Joy), a yearling filly by Kitten’s Joy and a 2020 More Than Ready filly. Her dam is an unraced half to G1 Fillies’ Mile third Firdaws (Mr. Greeley) out of G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Eswarah (GB) (Unfuwain), who in turn is a daughter of MG1SW G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Midway Lady (Alleged). The latter also produced G1 Irish 1000 Guineas third Umniyatee (GB) (Green Desert) and G3 Princess Royal S. victrix Itnab (GB) (Green Desert), who in turn is the dam of stakes-winning G3 Al Shindagha Sprint runner-up Alazeyab (El Prado {Ire}) and Peruvian Group 3 placegetter Madera de Guerrero (Street Cry {Ire}). Descendants of Umniyatee include Argentina’s G1 Presidente da Republica victor Maltes (Brz) (Red Runner).

Saturday, Deauville, France
PRIX DE PSYCHE SKY SPORTS RACING-G3, €56,000, Deauville, 8-1, 3yo, f, 8fT, 2:02.81, gd.
1–RAABIHAH, 125, f, 3, by Sea the Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Garmoosha, by Kingmambo
2nd Dam: Eswarah (GB), by Unfuwain
3rd Dam: Midway Lady, by Alleged
1ST GROUP WIN. O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Shadwell Farm LLC (KY); T-Jean-Claude Rouget; J-Cristian Demuro. €28,000. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-0, €91,760. *1/2 to Filfila (Kitten’s Joy), SP-US. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Wangari (Ger), 125, f, 3, Soldier Hollow (GB)–Wamika (Ger), by Shirocco (Ger). (€35,000 Ylg ’18 BBAGO). O-White Birch Farm; B-Gestut Park Wiedingen; T-Andre Fabre. €11,200.
3–Alkandora (GB), 125, f, 3, Nathaniel (Ire)–Poplin (GB), by Medicean (GB). (85,000gns Ylg ’18 TAOCT). O-Godolphin; B-D J Deer & Mrs D J Deer (GB); T-Andre Fabre. €8,400.
Margins: 3HF, 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 0.40, 4.40, 8.00.
Also Ran: Arriviste (GB), Chorba (Fr), Run Wild (Ger), Euclidia (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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In another unexpected turn of events, last year’s winning rider Seamie Heffernan will be at Epsom along with the 2017 hero Padraig Beggy and also Emmet McNamara which could result in a 14-day quarantine for them as they re-enter Ireland. Heffernan has live prospects of a repeat of his red-letter day on Anthony Van Dyck (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) 12 months ago on the G3 Hampton Court S. winner Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who will exit from stall six. Beggy, who got up late on the 40-1 outsider Wings of Eagles (Fr) (Pour Moi {Ire}), comes in for the ride on the fascinating G1 Irish 2000 Guineas runner-up Vatican City (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and he is ideally drawn in the middle in eight. McNamara is on Saturday’s impressive nine-length Curragh maiden winner Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and he could be the pace angle from stall 12.

English King and Mogul have statistical history against them, with no winner having come from stall two and only three from stall one since 1969. They are Blakeney (GB), Roberto and Oath (Ire) (Fairy King) and the latter came as long ago as 1999. Bare statistics don’t tell the whole story, however. Since 1990, nine horses drawn one or two have been in the frame, with one winning, which was the aforementioned well-backed 13-2 shot Oath in 1999. He was housed next to Dubai Millennium (GB) that day and the fact that the Godolphin megastar finished ninth had nothing to do with his draw. There have been only 11 runners to trade under 10-1 to come out of the first two stalls in that period and it is impossible to make a case that any of them would have won had they been positioned more towards the middle or in the high numbers.

Perhaps the experience of the unhappy trip of Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) from stall one in 2018 has been overplayed. Only fourth as the 4-5 favourite, the apparent wunderkind went on to show that he didn’t truly stay a mile and a half. The only other truly short-priced contender in the last three decades was Telecaster (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), who traded at 5-1 last year coming from stall two and he was tailed off last not because he had that post position but because he refused to settle. In 1998, when there were 15 runners, the 12-1 shot City Honours (Darshaan {GB}) exited from stall one and was beaten just a head by High-Rise (Ire) (High Estate {GB}). In 2009, Masterofthehorse (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) was drawn two and at 16-1 got into the frame just behind Sea the Stars (Ire), so a low draw is by no means disastrous.

What being drawn there does mean is that the horse has to have natural speed to gain an advantageous position heading to the right and then back down to the left. An ability to cruise from the start without over-racing, which Roberto exemplified in 1972 under Lester Piggott. We know that English King has gears, having registered impressive sectionals at Lingfield, and that he has the kind of calm and composed nature which will aid Frankie as he looks for that early pitch.

Kameko will be joined by stablemate Khalifa Sat (Ire) (Free Eagle {Ire}), who is re-opposed by Juddmonte’s Emissary (GB) (Kingman {GB}) having beaten that half-brother to Workforce (GB) in Goodwood’s Listed Cocked Hat S. June 14. Ahmad Al Shaikh’s bay is drawn 14 and is another likely to be pressing the pace under Tom Marquand who was jocked off English King.

Andrew Balding is aware of the magnitude of the occasion, coming 49 years after father Ian saddled Mill Reef to glory. “Both horses did their last bits of work on Wednesday morning and I’m very happy with both of them,” he said. “As the race draws closer I see more dangers every day but, fingers crossed, everything has gone well in the build-up.”

“There is obviously the stamina doubt over Kameko, but he’s very relaxed and that’s why we are inclined to give it a go,” Balding added of the June 6 Newmarket Classic winner who will be the 13th to attempt the unique double since 1990 and if successful only the third to do so. “There’s a genetic question mark and it will be answered on Saturday. If he was a keen horse and difficult to settle, we would not be attempting this. It’s a combination of mentality and genetic make-up as to how far horses can stay. Any horse that wins the Vertem Futurity, as he did, is considered a potential Derby horse. He stayed the mile well as a 2-year-old and also hit the line strong in the Guineas.”

Of Khalifa Sat, he said, “He had a slight setback in late winter and that certainly held us back a little bit, but he’s made up for lost time and I thought he won really well at Goodwood. He’s in great nick and deserves to take his chance.”

Earlier on Saturday, eight fillies will head postward for the £250,000 G1 Investec Oaks, with Anthony Oppenheimer’s G2 Ribblesdale S. winner Frankly Darling (GB) (Frankel {GB}) leading the home defence from stall three. Ballydoyle’s contingent is again numerically strongest, with a trio headed by the impressive G1 1000 Guineas heroine Love (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who has drawn in stall five. Stablemates and Ribblesdale place-getters Ennistymon (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Passion (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) will break from four and one respectively.

Away from the Aidan O’Brien-Gosden rivalry, Roger Varian has captured the imagination by declaring the duo Queen Daenerys (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Gold Wand (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}). Mohamed Khalid Abdulrahim’s Gold Wand beat Enable’s half-sister Portrush (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in a mile-and-a-quarter maiden at Newbury June 11, while Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s Queen Daenerys was runner-up in the Listed Pretty Polly S. also over that distance at Newmarket June 7.

“My two are nice fillies and we feel they deserve to take their chance,” their trainer explained. “Gold Wand’s a filly we’ve always thought the world of. She’s probably a touch unfortunate that in this unusual year she’s not had time to run twice before the Oaks. She would have been a filly to go on to an Oaks trial, but we didn’t have time to do that and I didn’t think she was one to have three quick runs. Everything has gone smoothly since she won at Newbury. She’s obviously got to take a big step forward, but I think she’s very talented and I’m hoping that she can overcome her inexperience and show what she’s capable of. She shows a high level of ability at home and we wouldn’t be running her in an Oaks unless we saw that from her. There’s only one Oaks and it’s very exciting for her owner.”

“Queen Daenerys has not done much wrong in her career and I thought she ran a nice Oaks trial in the Pretty Polly, when she needed the run and looked to be crying out for an extra two furlongs,” he added. “She had to dig in there after getting outpaced mid-race and could have easily dropped out, but she did her best work late on. She’s going to get better the further she goes. She’s quite uncomplicated and the drying ground will suit her. I think she will outrun her odds.”

Despite there being no crowds at Epsom in 2020, there is no time to relax for racecourse officials who have to impose a 24-hour exclusion zone around the track. Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said, “There will be a 24-hour exclusion zone in force and we’ll have a stewarding presence around the perimeter. We’d ask everyone to do us a huge favour and stay away this year.” Cooper also had news about the likely going, adding, “The greatest likelihood is that we’ll be at or near good on Saturday. We’d need really heavy showers to soften it beyond the slow side of good. Friday looks basically dry and on Saturday morning there is the chance of light, patchy rain as a frontal system moves down from the north west.”

Final declarations for Sunday’s equivalent Classics at Chantilly were also announced on Thursday, with Godolphin’s G1 Poule d’Essai des Poulains winner Victor Ludorum (GB) (Shamardal) ideally drawn in stall one in the 17-runner €900,000 G1 Prix du Jockey Club and the Niarchos Family’s G1 Coronation S. heroine Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea the Moon {Ger}) getting the same post as she heads a field of 11 for the €600,000 G1 Prix de Diane Longines. Michael Tabor’s G1 Irish 1000 Guineas victress Peaceful (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) sidesteps Epsom to line up in stall four for the 10 1/2-furlong test and Seamie Heffernan will make the trip to France from England to partner her. He also takes the ride on Saturday’s G1 Irish Derby fourth Order of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in the Jockey Club, one of a trio of Coolmore-owned colts in the 10 1/2-furlong Classic. They include the Listed Prix de Suresnes-winning ‘TDN Rising Star’ Ocean Atlantique (American Pharoah), who fared worst of the fancied runners from the draw in stall 14.

One of the Jockey Club’s fairytale stories is Team Valor International and Andre Brakha’s unbeaten  Hurricane Dream (Fr) (Hurricane Cat), who will break from 11 under Jean-Bernard Eyquem as he provides jumps trainer Mikael Mescam with a day to remember. His sole horse in training was impressive when earning his tilt in a course-and-distance conditions event June 14 and Mescam is full of hope. “He has had a good preparation, coming up slowly through the ranks and he hasn’t had a tough race,” he commented. “Having a recent run over 2100 meters at Chantilly was ideal. In the mornings, you can see that he is a good horse, but then we’re always amazed at how impressively he wins. I only have one flat horse and having a runner in this race was highly unlikely! We are fortunate to have him at the stable and the whole team has taken great care of him.”

Jean-Claude Rouget has opted to leave Shadwell’s impressive G1 Prix Saint Alary heroine Tawkeel (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) out of the equation for the Diane and rely solely on the operation’s Raabihah (Sea the Stars {Ire}). The May 14 Listed Prix de la Seine winner is drawn nine, while the same stable’s Listed Prix Finlande runner-up Vadsena (Fr) (Makfi {GB}) has fared worse in 11. Christophe Soumillon has decided to partner Vadsena over the other Aga Khan representative Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor), the June 10 G3 Prix de Royaumont scorer who will be providing Olivier Peslier with another opportunity of a first Diane victory.

Shadwell’s racing manager Angus Gold said, “We entered both Raabihah and Tawkeel in the Prix de Diane Longines, but Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum didn’t want to run them against each other. Raabihah was chosen, as Tawkeel has already won a Group 1 and she should run later in the month in Goodwood’s Nassau S.”

Alain de Royer Dupre is a master of winning this Classic, having done so on six occasions and is bidding to provide The Aga Khan with an eighth renewal. “Ebaiyra won the Prix de Royaumont very nicely and we are running because we think that she is talented,” he said. “We have followed our usual method to bring her to the race, bringing her up in condition just to the race day. The question is whether she is talented enough to be competitive in this race. There are a number of fillies who have never met on the track before, so it is difficult to compare them.”

Chantilly are also expecting good ground on Sunday. “The weather has been very unstable all week,” explained Matthieu Vincent, the racecourse and training centre’s director. “We will make a decision on Friday at 4 p.m. with Marin Le Cour Grandmaison, the track manager, on whether or not to water. The aim is to have good-to-soft ground at 10 a.m. on Sunday morning, heading towards good ground for the start of the meeting. Temperatures of 22 to 24c are predicted for Sunday with no rain forecast. The grass has been mowed to 10cm and there will be 10 metres of fresh ground on the inside. The last time that we used this ground with the rail at zero was on the 14th June. We have spent a lot of time cultivating the track during the lockdown, so there is a great grass cover.”

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