Blue Rose Cen is after something rare and special here. Only the French legend Allez France in 1973, Divine Proportions in 2005 and Zarkava (Ire) in 2008 have completed the Marcel Boussac-Poule d'Essai des Pouliches-Diane treble, so there is that extra pressure on Christophe Head who looks to land this Classic 10 years on from the last of his aunt Criquette's in Treve (Fr).

“I think she is in prime form,” he said. “I'm crossing my fingers that everything goes well in terms of the longer trip. She is really one of those brilliant kinds and has been very professional the whole time. I have the feeling we can do it again–it's going to be a very nice race and of course we will encounter new fillies, good fillies, but I can't wait. She has a great mentality, has been easy to train and has been working brilliantly.”

Ready Yourself

This is as deep a Diane as has been seen for some time, with the Gosdens' representative Running Lion (GB) (Roaring Lion) almost certainly up to this standard on the evidence of her electric performance in Newmarket's Listed Pretty Polly S., Ballymore Thoroughbred Ltd's TDN Rising Star Pensee Du Jour (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) looking so dominant in the early-season staging posts of the Listed Prix Rose de Mai and G3 Prix Penelope, Ballydoyle's Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) moving up to a more suitable trip still giving off the vibe that she is a top-class filly in the making, and Al Shira'aa Farms's unbeaten G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Jannah Rose (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) prompting such notable comments from the normally reticent Carlos Laffon-Parias.

Any Other Rose?

Jannah Rose may have fared best in the draw on Thursday, with her middle position in seven meaning Christophe Soumillon can make an early decision as to where best to position her throughout those all-important early stages. Three winners in the last nine years emerged from that stall and six of the last nine were drawn between six and nine and it is interesting to note that in the G3 Prix Vanteaux and Saint-Alary she was also drawn middle to wide. In the latter, she was produced to beat Elusive Princess  (Fr) (Martinborough {Jpn}) by just 3/4 of a length, but the manner of her performance suggests there will be plenty more to come faced with sterner opposition.

Carlos Laffon-Parias, who is part of the Head family having married Christopher's cousin Patricia, is after his first renewal and said, “I have come close before, but time is passing and I must win it before things become more complicated! I remain confident I will eventually win it and I hope that day is close at hand.”

Bridging The Gap

Blue Rose Cen has been putting some notable fillies in their place for some time now, but this is a different test and different day for a couple who are looking to make it closer. Never Ending Story was beaten over five lengths by Christopher Head's pride and joy in the Marcel Boussac, but that was after a troubled trip on contrastingly deep ground when things hadn't yet fallen into place for her. In one way, her five-length fifth in the Pouliches was a surprising backward step having looked so dynamic when slamming the 1000 Guineas third Matilda Picotte (Ire) (Sioux Nation) in Leopardstown's Ballylinch Stud 1000 Guineas Trial in April, but there is a nagging sense that middle distances and summer ground will see her make a leap forward as it did for her dam Athena (Ire) (Camelot {GB}). Behind Blue Rose Cen in the Grotte and Pouliches, Everest Racing's Lindy (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) also has solid claims for being more competitive this time, but stall 13 is a major disadvantage and she will need all the luck from there.

Ryan Moore believes that his mount's story is far from over. “I don't think we saw the best of my filly at all when she was fifth in the French 1000 Guineas last time,” he said. “She didn't run badly, but she didn't fire and pick up as I was expecting as I thought she had a big shot at winning that race. However, I think she remains a Group 1 filly and I hope she can prove it over a trip that she is bred to get. She could just surprise some fillies with more obvious claims.”

Best Of The Rest

Chantilly's card also features the G3 Prix du Bois Longines, with the TDN Rising Star fillies Les Pavots (Ire) (No Nay Never) and Ramatuelle (Justify) taking on Ecurie Jean-Louis Bouchard and Bruno De Montzey's unbeaten colt Zorken (Fr) (Goken {Fr}) and the G3 Prix du Lys Longines, where Maniatic (Ire) (Intello {Ger}) and Don Diego De Vega (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) provide further evidence of the merits of Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}) having chased home that impressive G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero in this venue's Listed Prix de Suresnes last month.

The post Chantilly: Can Blue Rose Cen Pull Off A Classic Double? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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From homebreds, to pricy auction purchases, the 15 G1 Prix de Diane Longines's contenders run the gamut of backgrounds. G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches victress Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) will try to add another Classic to her resume, but she faces strong competition in the form of the unbeaten Jannah Rose (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), and the Gosdens' Running Lion (GB) (Roaring Lion) among others.

NOVAKAI (GB), Lope De Vega (Ire)–Elasia (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire})
Owner/Breeder: Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum
Trainer: Karl Burke
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Her 92-rated dam won at up to 1m6f and is from the family of quirky but talented stayer Pallasator (GB). From a stable in rich form, she was second to subsequent Oaks winner Soul Sister in the G3 Musidora S. on her sole start this season. A maiden winner on debut at two, she was later runner-up in both the G2 May Hill and G1 Fillies' Mile. A surprise not to see her start in the Oaks as she should stay beyond the distance of the Diane.

Wow! Novakai, a daughter of Lope De Vega, makes a hugely impressive debut at @DoncasterRaces for @karl_burke and @tomeaveswigan… pic.twitter.com/Eg3Y7okoQV

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 16, 2022

JANNAH ROSE (IRE), Frankel (GB)–Sophie Germain (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire})
Owner: Al Shira'aa Farms
Breeder: John Hayes
Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias
Sales History: €650,000 Goffs Orby yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: A half-sister to the Group 2 winner Creggs Pipes (Ire), she is unbeaten in her three lifetime starts, including once last year and most recently in the G1 Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary. A real class act who should start close to favourite.

PENSEE DU JOUR (IRE), Camelot (GB)–Painter's Pride (Fr) (Dansili {GB})
'TDN Rising Star'
Owner: Ballymore Thoroughbred Ltd
Breeder: Dayton Investments Ltd
Trainer: Andre Fabre
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: From a family which includes the brilliant Arc winner and sire Peintre Celebre, she is a half-sister to the Meydan Group 3 winner Canvassed (Ire) (Shamardal) and has looked very smart in her three runs this year. Never beaten to date, she won on Chantilly's all-weather track in February before coping well with soft conditions to post easy victories in the Listed Prix Rose de Mai and G3 Prix Penelope. A smart prospect if she can handle faster turf than she has encountered so far.

The unbeaten Pensee Du Jour is going for Classic glory on Sunday!

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 13, 2023

KHAHIRA (FR), Pedro The Great–Excitante (Fr) (Excelebration {Ire})
Owner: Andy Claire, Abdel-Hakim Benahmed & Nour-Eddine Smail
Breeder: Mme J-H De Chevigny
Trainer: Myriam Bollack-Badel
Sales History: €25,000 Arqana October yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Her dam was placed once at two over 6f and is herself out of a 6f Listed-winning juvenile. Khahira was highly tried at two, but was consistently in the first three and eventually won her sixth of seven starts last year, at Deauville. Kept on the go through the winter, she has made another five appearances this year, including when third in the Listed Prix de la Seine. This looks a tough assignment.

LINDY (FR), Le Havre (Ire)–Llanita (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire})
Owner: Everest Racing, Ecurie Waldeck, Meridian International, Ecurie Elag, Ecurie Nininoe, Didier Provost & Frank Dhooghe
Breeder: Ecurie La Vallee Martigny Earl
Trainer: Christophe Ferland
Sales History: €90,000 Arqana August yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Runner-up in both the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches and G3 Prix de la Grotte to Blue Rose Cen (Ire) having previously been unbeaten in three starts, including at Listed level. She has a decent chance to become her late sire's third winner of the Diane.

TASMANIA (GER), Australia (GB)-Tusked Wings (Ire) (Adlerflug {Ger})
Owner/Breeder: Gestut Schlenderhan
Trainer: Francis-Henri Graffard
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Her dam won the G2 Diana Trial, was fourth in the G1 Preis der Diana, and produced the Listed-placed Task (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) as her first foal. Grand-dam Tucana (Ger) Acatenango (Ger) is a half-sister to Tertullian (Miswaki), from a long established Schlenderhan family. Tasmania looks very much an improving sort, who built on her debut fourth in October last year by winning maiden and conditions races in Paris, in the latter beating subsequent G3 Prix de Royaumont winner Ottery (GB). An interesting each-way prospect who should cope with stepping up in trip in time.

Gestut Schlenderhan-homebred TASMANIA breaks her maiden

Australia 3yo, dam Gr2 Tusked Wings

3×4 Sadlers Wells & 4×4 Allegretta, her 4th dam, plus 5×5 Allegretta's dam Alya pic.twitter.com/c72YhMAen1

— Pedigree Update (@pedigreeupdate) April 7, 2023

RUNNING LION (GB), Roaring Lion–Bella Nouf (GB) (Dansili {GB})
Owner: D P Howden
Breeder: The Bella Nouf Partnership
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: A half-sister to Group 3 winner Majestic Glory (GB) (Frankel {GB}), her dam is a dual-winning half-sister to three black-type performers. Impressive winner of the Listed Pretty Polly S. in May and was among the leading fancies for the Oaks but was scratched at the start when unruly in the stalls. As long as there is no repeat drama she could go close.

Seriously impressive Roaring Lion filly! Running Lion devours her rivals for the Gosdens and @D_Muscutttt at @LingfieldPark… pic.twitter.com/rD73gvVPmc

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 6, 2022

ELUSIVE PRINCESS (FR), Martinborough (Jpn)–Elusive Action (Fr) (Elusive City)
Owner: LNJ Foxwoods, Ecurie Victoria Dreams & Jean-Philippe Dubois
Breeder/Trainer: Jean-Philippe Dubois
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: A daughter of the Group 3-winning Deep Impact stallion Martinborough, she is the first foal of her unraced dam who traces back to a Lagardere family which includes the Group 2 winner Diamond Mix (Fr) (Linamix {Fr}). The winner of both starts last year, and again on debut this season at Saint-Cloud in April, she has subsequently been a close second in the G3 Prix Cleopatre and was then runner-up to Jannah Rose in G1 Prix Saint-Alary, for which she was supplemented. Doesn't need to have improved much to play a leading role.

Three on the bounce for Martinborough (Deep Impact) 3yo ELUSIVE PRINCESS beating the boys in the Prix Tourbillon.@Harasdegrandcam @FRBC_Official @francesire pic.twitter.com/uDOWYKhK05

— Pedigree Update (@pedigreeupdate) April 2, 2023

NEVER ENDING STORY (IRE), Dubawi (Ire)–Athena (Ire) (Camelot {GB})
Owner: Mrs John Magnier/Michael Tabor/Derrick Smith/ Westerberg
Breeder: Coolmore
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Won the G3 Ballylinch Stud Priory Belle 1000 Guineas Trial S. and was fifth in the Poules d'Essai des Pouliches, having placed at Group 1 level in France at two. She is out of a GI Belmont Oaks Invitational S. winner and is Athena's first foal. From the family of Urban Sea (Miswaki), which is replete with Group 1 winners, the granddaughter of Cherry Hinton (GB) (Green Desert) is a live chance, but must continue to improve.

Exciting filly.

Never Ending Story (Dubawi) justifies her odds-on billing on Group debut, landing the Silver Flash Stakes for Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien at @LeopardstownRC pic.twitter.com/MWuXCG4HK3

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 21, 2022

CAROLINE STREET, No Nay Never–Harvestfortheworld (Ire) (So You Think (NZ)
Owner: Marc Detempel & Michael Buckley
Breeder: Grantley Acres, R Conner & R Davidson
Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
Sales History: $200,000 Fasig-Tipton NY Saratoga Select yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Successful in last month's G3 Blue Wind S., the Kentucky-bred is the first foal out of the G3 Gallinule S. third Harvestfortheworld and is from the extended family of G1 Phoenix S. winner Pharaoh's Delight (Ire) (Fairy King). If the chips fall her way, she could grab a piece of the spoils.

Blue Wind Stakes (G3)
2.010 m – 65.000 EUR – for 3yo mares
Naas

Caroline Street (IRE)
(No Nay Never – Hatvestfortheworld, by So You Think)
J : Dylan Browne McMonagle
T :Joseph Patrick O'Brien
O :Marc Detampel & Michael Buckleypic.twitter.com/90WGlI4g40

— (@WorldRacing1) May 6, 2023

LEFT SEA (GB), Frankel (GB)–Left Hand (GB) (Dubawi {Ire})
'TDN Rising Star'
Owner/Breeder: Wertheimer et Frere
Trainer: Carlos Laffon-Parias
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Another contesting the French Oaks on the back of a victory is this homebred filly, who rolled to a three-length win in the Listed Prix Melisande at ParisLongchamp earlier this month. The second foal and winner out of G1 Prix Vermeille heroine and 2016 Diane second Left Hand, Left Sea is kin to French Oaks third Plumania (GB) (Anabaa). Although she carries family history with this Classic, Left Sea faces a tough challenge.

LADY EWELINA (GB), Mukhadram (GB)–Quadri (GB) (Polish Precedent)
Owner: Westminster Race Horses GMBH
Breeder: Lady Legard
Trainer: Andreas Wohler
Sales History: 3,500gns Tattersalls October Book 3 yearling
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: The undefeated German group winner is the 16th and final foal out of Quadri, and a half-sister to New Zealand Group 1 winner Turn Tide (GB) (Medicean {GB}). Her second dam is a half-sister to American champion Wandesta (GB) (Nashwan), and if her form translates to Chantilly, she will be right there.

Schwarzgold-Rennen (G3)
1.600 m – 55.000 EUR – for 3yo mares
Köln

Lady Ewelina (GB)
(3F Mukhadram – Quadri, by Polish Precedent)
J :Eduardo Pedroza
T : @RennstallAW
O :Westminster Race Horses GmbH
B :Lady Legard
Tamarinde (Amaron)
Bärbelchen pic.twitter.com/glej86ZEuI

— (@WorldRacing1) May 7, 2023

ROMINA POWER (FR), Le Havre (Ire)–Rockatella (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire})
Owner: Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Stables
Breeder: Ecurie Haras du Cadran & SCEA Bissons
Trainer: Michael Figge
Sales History: €10,000 Arqana October yearling; €20,000 Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge 2-year-old
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: This filly broke her maiden in her eighth start, the Listed Tattersalls Diana Trial at Baden-Baden last time, and her dual Italian stakes-winning dam was also placed thrice at group level in Europe. Part of the immortal Reprocolor (GB) (Jimmy Reppin {GB}) clan, Romina Power must continue to progress if she is to make an impact on Sunday.

Tattersalls Diana Trial(Listed)
1.800 m – 25.000 EUR – for 3yo mares
Baden -Baden

Romina Power (FR)
(3F Le Havre – Rockatella ,by Rock Of Gibraltar)
J : Augustin Madamet
T: Michael Figge
O :Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Stables
B :Ecurie Haras Du Cadran & SCEA Bissons pic.twitter.com/PVwwTnh4Fe

— (@WorldRacing1) May 20, 2023

BLUE ROSE CEN (IRE), Churchill (Ire)–Queen Blossom (Ire) (Jeremy)
Owner/Breeder: Yeguada Centurion SL
Trainer: Christopher Head
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: A Group 1 winner at two and already successful in the G1 Poules d'Essai des Pouliches this year, the homebred is the first reported foal for G3 Park Express S. heroine Queen Blossom, who also won the GIII Santa Barbara S. in the U.S. Her granddam was placed in the G3 Silver Flash S., and Blue Rose Cen has every chance of adding another Classic laurel. Breaking from the favourable inside gate, she is the one to beat.

Prix De La Grotte (G3)
1.600 m ,80.000 EUR , for 3yo mares
Longchamp

Blue Rose Cen (IRE)
(Churchill -Queen Blossom, by Jeremy)
J : A. Lemaitre
T : C. Head
B & O : Yeguda Centurion pic.twitter.com/U7LkBoBQW0

— (@WorldRacing1) April 16, 2023

WISE GIRL (FR), Recoletos (Fr)–Darma (Fr) (Danehill Dancer {Ire})
Owner/Breeder: Yeguada Centurion SL
Trainer: Christopher Head
Sales History: €105,000 Arqana October yearling buy-back
Pedigree Notes/Form Analysis: Bearing her breeder's second colours, this filly won at Chantilly in May, and is a half-sister to the useful stakes winner Dariyma (Fr) (City Zip), who was third in the G2 Prix Dollar. The relative of French Classic winners Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Darjina (Fr) (Zamindar) is facing her first black-type race on Sunday. A win here would be a shock.

The post Prix de Diane Longines: Where Did They Come From? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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One of the duo to overcome a wide post was Star Of Seville (GB) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}) in 2015, and her trainer John Gosden knows the significance of the draw. “She's a tough filly and she needs to be from stall 12,” he stated. “She's in great form and we're really happy with her and her work has been great this year. She's very business-like, both in the mornings and her races and has shown nothing but a great mental attitude to her racing and has been very consistent.”

Others of note include Ballydoyle's Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in stall three, Everest Racing's Pouliches runner-up Lindy (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) in 13 and Al Shira'aa Farms's unbeaten G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Jannah Rose (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in seven. The Saint-Alary runner-up Elusive Princess (Fr) (Martinborough {Jpn}), supplemented by LNJ Foxwoods, is in stall 14.

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“I was impressed because the filly quickened nicely and clocked a good time,” he said. I hope the trip won't be a problem, all the signs are good. She settled well and she finished the race strongly at York, so I believe that it will not be an issue. You don't really know until you try, but I think she will be fine.”

The Lion's Share

While Frankie prepares to bid farewell, Oisin Murphy is hoping his career can enjoy the same longevity and as far as the Oaks is concerned it is time to catch up with the outgoing legend on six wins in this Classic. David Howden's Running Lion (GB) (Roaring Lion) is taking the Ouija Board (GB) and Taghrooda (GB) route to this Classic, having won Newmarket's Listed Pretty Polly S. with a deal of authority. As nine of the last 10 renewals have gone to either Aidan O'Brien or John Gosden, she is at least from the right stable and if she has the stamina for this will be a danger to all.

Grounds For Concern

While Aidan O'Brien is convinced that Savethelastdance (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is not a soft-ground specialist, the Listed Cheshire Oaks winner has to prove she can reproduce the same kind of performance on the liveliest surface she has encountered to date on a track that will test her versatility to the full. Both the Gosdens' runners have no flaws in that respect, so Ryan Moore will have to make sure he is not as far adrift early as he was at Chester. Those with bigger uncertainty hovering over them include Godolphin's Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial winner Eternal Hope (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who despite her obvious talent has yet to race on turf, and a clutch of unproven stayers. They include the Hunscote Stud colourbearer Caernarfon (GB) (Cityscape {GB}), surprisingly the only member of the cast to bring 1000 Guineas form into the mix having been fourth in the Newmarket Classic. “We will be taking on well-touted fillies who have done very well in their Oaks trials, but they have got to step up in class and we've already been and proven that we can mix it at that sort of level,” trainer Jack Channon said. “We just hope that the extra distance will elevate her a couple of places.”

Westover Primed For Epsom Return

Few would not concede that with a clear run Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) would have been at least second in last year's Derby and probably would have shaken up the winner, so his reappearance on the famous Surrey Downs is to be welcomed in Friday's G1 DahlBury Coronation Cup. Juddmonte's homebred went on to show what he could do in the G1 Irish Derby before a mix of over-exuberance and the effects of a busy schedule took their toll in the King George, as they did for that race's other flop Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) who joins him again. As well as showcasing his own talent here, the Ralph Beckett-trained 4-year-old also puts the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic success of Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) back into focus.

“It was a big run in Dubai, he likes good ground, we know that now,” Juddmonte's European racing manager Barry Mahon said. “He's a big horse with a knee action and we thought he'd go on softer ground, but I think the Arc showed us he can go on it fine but he's better on fast ground, so hopefully we get that and he can run a big race.”

Tunnes Of Ability

Coronation Cups have been won by overseas raiders several times before and following the exploits of his half-brother Torquator Tasso (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), Holger Renz's Tunnes (Ger) (Guiliani {Ire}) is not one to be taken lightly. His 10-length victory in the G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern in November stands up to inspection and trainer Peter Schiergen is hoping this will lead to the Ascot feature in July in which his half-sibling was second. “If he runs well, we might plan to run him in the King George,” he said.

Big Sigh Of Relief

Thursday saw a final field of 11 declared for Sunday's €1.5-million G1 Qatar Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, with good news for connections of likely favourite Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) as Yeguada Centurion's homebred sensation was drawn in two. Jaber Abdullah's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) is in four, while TDN Rising Star and supplementary entry Feed The Flame (GB) (Kingman {GB}) has been allocated stall six.

The post Epsom: Can Soul Sister Be Frankie’s Last Dance? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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The post Savethelastdance Heads 11 For The Oaks appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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“I have been fortunate enough to win The Derby twice and it is still the most famous race in the world for us. When I started my career as a jockey, first of all you want to get a ride in it and then try to win it. I've had over 20 rides in it and this is my last go. At least I am going into my last Derby with a great chance,” said Dettori after the gallop. “This year is a lot of lasts. I went to Rome yesterday and it was my last Derby there. I saw the vice Prime Minister and he gave me a plaque congratulating me on my career. Now it's my last Derby here and I have a live chance, which is good.”

Co-trainer John Gosden was equally pleased, adding: “This horse can change gears, absolutely. He's a big boy and he proved he stayed the other day [in the May 10 G3 Chester Vase] when he handled the conditions. He doesn't need it to be like that.

“Stamina is a requirement in this race, the same for the GI Kentucky Derby going a mile and a quarter for the Americans, they see it as a marathon. He's got the stamina, no problem.”

Arrest visited the winner's enclosure twice in 2022 and was having his first run of the season in the Chester Vase.

Running Lion and Oisin Murphy in the irons on the gallop at Epson Downs | John Hoy/The Jockey Club

Not long behind her stablemate, Running Lion (GB) (Roaring Lion) worked just under a mile with three-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy in the irons, who is looking to continue his noteworthy return to the races after serving a 14-month ban for alcohol and Covid breaches. The grey won the Listed Howden Pretty Polly S. at Newmarket on her last start and appeared to handle the track well Monday before pulling clear of her lead horse.

“We were obviously delighted with Running Lion at Newmarket. She came out of the race well and today she went down very relaxed,” said Murphy afterwards. “Once I got her organised, although she didn't take too much organising, I let her go forward in the straight but I resisted the temptation to ask her for an effort because I thought the Pretty Polly with a little bit of dig in the ground wasn't long ago.”

Her rider does admit, however, that he has concerns regarding the stamina requirements for a contest of this calibre, ones echoed by the senior Gosden:

“Stamina-wise you never really know until you go a mile and a half. Everyone thinks it is a downhill track but it rises 150ft before you think about coming down hill and of course that last section where it climbs again at the finish can catch a lot of them out on stamina. Both the fillies have a lot of speed. It's hard to say until you know with the trip, they're both bred to be mile-and-a-quarter fillies and the last part is always the key, we don't know. You can't practice a race over a mile and a half at home, I don't think.”

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The 10-3 chance settled into a comfortable rhythm and raced in a midfield fifth through halfway. Powering forward to loom large on the bridle passing the quarter-mile marker, she was soon in splendid isolation and surged clear of toiling rivals on the final ascent to easily outclass the hitherto undefeated Sumo Sam (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) by 4 1/2 lengths.

“We brought her down here for a piece of work and Oisin [Murphy] said we should go for the Pretty Polly rather than the 1000 Guineas as she'll need the mile-and-a-quarter, so we've made the right decision,” said John Gosden. “It will be very interesting with this filly whether she's more a Prix de Diane or an Oaks filly. We've got more trials to come, there's the Musidora at York and the Newbury trial, so we'll see how it shapes up. The jockey's first reaction was to possibly stay at a mile-and-a-quarter and I'm always interested as to what they say when they come back straight away, not when they've had time to think. We'll give it a lot of thought and the idea would be to go to one of the Oaks, which one it is I don't know.”

Running Lion becomes the second black-type scorer for Bella Nouf (GB) (Dansili {GB}), whose first is G3 Sweet Solera S. victrix Majestic Glory (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Bella Nouf is a dual-winning half-sister to three black-type performers headed by Listed Lyric S. victrix Nouriya (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), herself the dam of G2 Duke of Cambride S. heroine Aljazzi (GB) (Shamardal) and Listed John Musker Fillies' S. winner Majestic Noor (GB)  (Frankel {GB}). Running Lion's third dam Shy Danceuse (Groom Dancer) is responsible for Listed Prix Occitanie winner Sweet Story (Ire) (Green Tune) and Listed Oppenheim-Rennen first Shy Lady (Fr) (Kaldoun {Fr}), the latter being the dam of five stakes scorers headed by G1 St. James's Palace S. hero and G1 2000 Guineas runner-up Zafeen (Fr) (Zafonic). Hailing from the family of GI Breeders' Cup Mile-winning sire Opening Verse (The Minstrel), the February-foaled grey is kin to the unraced 2-year-old colt Star Runner (GB) (Zoustar {Aus}) and a yearling colt by Kameko.

Sunday, Newmarket, Britain
HOWDEN PRETTY POLLY S.-Listed, £50,000, Newmarket, 5-7, 3yo, f, 10fT, 2:05.86, sf.
1–RUNNING LION (GB), 128, f, 3, by Roaring Lion
1st Dam: Bella Nouf (GB), by Dansili (GB)
2nd Dam: Majestic Sakeena (Ire), by King's Best
3rd Dam: Shy Danceuse, by Groom Dancer
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. O-David Howden; B-The Bella Nouf Partnership (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Oisin Murphy. £28,355. Lifetime Record: 5-4-0-0, $61,547. *1/2 to Majestic Glory (GB) (Frankel {GB}), GSW-Eng.
2–Sumo Sam (GB), 128, f, 3, Nathaniel (Ire)–Seaduced (GB), by Lope De Vega (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Ben & Sir Martyn Arbib; B-Arbib Bloodstock Partnership (GB); T-Paul & Oliver Cole. £10,750.
3–Trust The Stars (Ire), 128, f, 3, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Son Macia (Ger), by Soldier Hollow (GB). (€140,000 Ylg '21 ARQDOY). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Valmont; B-S.Elektrowelt24 & Sunderland Holding Inc (IRE); T-Ralph Beckett. £5,380.
Margins: 4HF, 3 3/4, 2 3/4. Odds: 3.33, 7.50, 3.33.
Also Ran: Crackovia (GB), Queen Of Fairies (GB), Fantizzy (GB), Tarjamah (GB), Floating Spirit (GB), Joyful Act (GB). Scratched: Cloudbreaker (GB).

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