“When you spend 200,000gns on a horse you hope you are buying a superstar and I stuck my neck on the line for this fella,” Hughes added. “He's a huge horse and he did a very good breeze back in May when he shouldn't have been able. He's got an abundance of pace and he's bred to stay a minimum of a mile and a half. I feel I have ticked all the boxes other than having only run once.”

In the Criterium International, another TDN Rising Star from the Fabre stable is Baron Edouard De Rothschild's Alcantor (Fr) (New Bay {GB}), who beat the re-opposing Saganti (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) and Havana Cigar (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) in the G3 Prix Thomas Bryon over this mile trip and track last month. Guy Pariente, Thomas Lines and Qatar Racing's G2 Champagne S. runner-up Sunway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) is a key opponent and trainer David Menuisier believes he has a measure of the merit of Alcantor. “It's the form line of the Prix Thomas Bryon at Saint-Cloud, when we finished fourth with Devil's Point and Andre Fabre's horse looks really good,” he said. “We respect the opposition but the horse is really well and I'm counting on him for a big run.”

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Having met his match in Ace Impact (Ire) in the 10 1/2-furlong G1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, Yeguada Centurion SL's G3 Prix de Guiche and G3 Prix la Force winner came up short against Cheveley Park Stud's high-class filly in Deauville's G1 Prix Jacques le Marois last month but that form looks enough in what is a winnable renewal on paper.

Team Valor International and Gary Barber's Facteur Cheval (Ire) (Ribchester {Ire}) has proven himself at this level on his last two starts, finishing third in a blanket in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan over another furlong and 55 yards before making Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) work in the G1 Sussex S.

“Even though it's back in four and a half weeks which sounds like a reasonable amount of time, in the back of my mind I'm hoping he doesn't react to that last race, it certainly knocked out Paddington,” Team Valor CEO Barry Irwin said. “We are hopeful for a good race because Big Rock likes to go off in front and we need to have a target. The races where he hasn't ran quite up to scratch this year are when he got too far behind in a paceless race.”

Derby Rematch At Baden-Baden

In the day's G1 153rd Wettstar.de Grosser Preis von Baden, the G1 Deutsches Derby one-two Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) and Mr Hollywood (Ire) (Iquitos {Ger}) resume their rivalry, with the former having to bounce back from a beating from Nations Pride (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis at Munich in late July. TDN Rising Star Mr Hollywood arrives fresh after a break since the Hamburg Classic and may offer the sternest threat to Ecurie Altima and Gerard Augustin-Normand's standard-setting G1 Dubai Sheema Classic and G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud-placed Zagrey (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}).

Rochette Task For Beauvatier

   Back at ParisLongchamp, Philippe Allaire and Haras d'Etreham's Listed Prix Roland de Chambure-winning TDN Rising Star Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) bids to maintain his unbeaten record in the seven-furlong G3 Prix la Rochette, where he meets fellow TDN Rising Star Havana Cigar (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}). White Birch Farm's grey is up a furlong, having finished third in Deauville's G3 Prix de Cabourg. In the 10-furlong G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange, the exciting G2 Prix Eugene Adam winner Horizon Dore (Fr) (Dabirsim {Fr}) builds towards a major autumn target in the Gousserie silks made famous by a similar type in Sealiway (Fr).

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“He's a Dewhurst winner over seven furlongs and a multiple group-race winner over that distance, so hopefully that won't inconvenience him,” the operation's European racing manager Barry Mahon. “Oisin is a top-class rider and I'm sure he can jump into any situation and swim rather than sink. He knows the horse and has ridden him plenty at home, so I'm sure he'll be fine.”

Meditating On The Opposition

Aidan O'Brien collected 12 months ago with Tenebrism (Caravaggio), who was dropping back in trip after failing to land a blow in the 1000 Guineas and Coronation, but Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) has something to find attempting the same feat having been disappointing handed the run of the race at Royal Ascot. While she was taking a backward step at the Royal meeting, Nurlan Bizakov's Charyn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) was seen going the other way as he worked into third in the St James's Palace. Of the French, TDN Rising Star Breizh Sky (Fr) (Pedro The Great) has outside claims based on his latest success in the G3 Prix Paul de Moussac over this trip at his favoured ParisLongchamp but along with his course-and-distance G3 Prix Djebel conqueror Good Guess (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) has a class gap to bridge to get to the standard of the overseas contingent.

All Eyes On Beauvatier

Deauville's major August festival is on the horizon and the scrimmaging for leading domestic juvenile is well underway, so the performance of the unbeaten TDN Rising Star Beauvatier (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) in the Listed Prix Roland de Chambure will be closely scrutinised. Having beaten the wide-margin G3 Prix du Bois winner Ramatuelle (Justify) in a six-furlong conditions event at Saint-Cloud in May, Philippe Allaire's representative is up in trip for the third time in three starts as he tackles a seventh here. Laying in wait is The  Aga Khan's 6 1/2-furlong ParisLongchamp winner Zabiari (GB) who looks to continue the golden run of Wootton Bassett (GB).

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Meditate Looks For Revenge

Well adrift of Tahiyra in the 1000 Guineas, it will be interesting to see if Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) can get closer than in the Moyglare when she trailed her by 2 1/4 lengths on contrasting ground. Her subsequent success in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf showed how deadly she can be when the surface rides fast and she would not be the first Ballydoyle representative to come from an unplaced effort at Newmarket and return to winning ways in a Curragh equivalent. “Meditate is very classy, has always been very good, and everything has gone very well with her since Newmarket,” O'Brien said. “She didn't have a real clear run through the whole winter into the spring.”

Out Of The Silence

If Tahiyra and Meditate take prominence here, then Moyglare Stud's homebred Eternal Silence (War Front) has a squeak given that she was still a maiden when third behind them in the race named after her owner-breeder's operation. From the Jessie Harrington stable which can do no wrong at present, the daughter of the G2 Ribblesdale S. winner Princess Highway (Street Cry {Ire}) has the scope to have progressed markedly in the interim. “It's been a frustrating Spring with Eternal Silence, as she was meant to run in a few maidens but due to going we didn't run her,” Kate Harrington explained. “She goes there in great form. She was a big filly last season and she's really filled her frame out over the winter. She was a good third in the Moyglare last year behind Tahiyra and Meditate, has had a few racecourse gallops and we got there hopeful of a big run.”

Bernick At The Double

Craig Bernick's colours will be carried by both the Fozzy Stack-trained Aspen Grove (Ire) (Justify) and You Send Me (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), with the latter in joint-ownership with Cayton Park Stud and Linda Shanahan. She was taking on the older horses and colts when second in the G3 Amethyst S. at Leopardstown earlier this month, so has had an unusual prep but is not far off the principals on ratings.

French Classic Winners Back At The Fore

In the card's G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, The Aga Khan's Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}) looks to fend off Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}) and Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in what promises to be a blockbuster. Last year's G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Eclipse S. hero has a run in the G1 Prix Ganay under his belt and unlike that race's third Bay Bridge may prefer this drier ground. “He has, in the past, liked this sort of fast-ish ground so he should be fine,” the owner-breeder's French racing and breeding manager Georges Rimaud said. “The horse is doing well, he has improved from his last race.” At Saint-Cloud, the G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Nassau S. heroine Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is back in the G2 Prix Corrida as she kickstarts a 4-year-old campaign that promises to be a bold one.

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That applies to several of the star colts and fillies lining up for the first domestic Classics and it is certain to be no worse than the testing going that Isaac Shelby (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) had to deal with at Newbury last time. Leading home the riderless Chaldean (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in his last race in the Sangster silks in the seven-furlong G3 Greenham S., Wathnan Racing's acquisition was adding to his fast-ground G2 Superlative S. success as a juvenile, so versatility is assured.

Brian Meehan has spent a while in the Classic wilderness and this is a key moment for the Manton-based trainer who last enjoyed Group 1 success 11 years ago. “He has been working great,” he said. “The Guineas was a nice form boost in a funny sort of way. I know they are saying it will be heavy ground, but it doesn't really matter what sort of ground we get–we are going to get whatever we get. The thing is, he is there on good-to-firm and soft, so we'll take our chance.”

Flying The Flag

France's defence of the Poulains may rest with Malcolm Parrish's American Flag (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who beat the re-opposing Kendly (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) in convincing fashion in the Listed Prix Omnium II at Saint-Cloud in March before following up in the course-and-distance G3 Prix de Fontainebleau last month. That form has taken a knock subsequently and there is no telling at the moment how good Yann Barberot's stable star is. “The horse is in great shape,” his trainer said. “He appreciates the very soft terrain and he has a very good mentality. He knows Longchamp and I am confident for Sunday.”

Good Knight?

Trailing Isaac Shelby in the Greenham, KHK Racing's TDN Rising Star Knight (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) has to rebound with the form of his G3 Horris Hill S. now also looking to have more holes in it than at the start of the season. Whether the deep promise of his Yarmouth debut can be fulfilled is the burning question for Simon and Ed Crisford. “I don't know what happened at Newbury to be honest, but the horse has bounced out of the Greenham,” Ed Crisford said. “He just didn't go a yard and there's nothing much to say about that other than it was very disappointing. He seems to have come alive and come on for that race, so he's going to France and hopefully he can run a big race albeit he has to prove it now.”

Anybody's Guess

On the face of it, Hisaaki Saito's Good Guess (GB) (Kodiac {GB})) has something to find even allowing for his G3 Prix Djebel success from TDN Rising Star Breizh Sky (Fr) (Pedro The Great) and Fabrice Chappet would not have been heartened by the draw in eight. What effect that post position will have this year, with only 10 runners, remains to be seen and Breizh Sky is even wider in the outside stall. Alain Jathiere's colour-bearer is beginning to look a habitual “nearly horse” and he needs a strong pace to run at, which is not guaranteed here.

Trainer Alessandro Botti is clinging on to hope that things will fall right for Breizh Sky at some point. “The forecast very soft ground shouldn't be a problem for him, as he finished third in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere when there was plenty of give,” he said. “His comeback effort in the Prix Djebel was quite good, but the race was devoid of pace and things panned out perfectly for Good Guess.”

An Unfolding Story

When Never Ending Story (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) encountered Blue Rose Cen (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) in the course-and-distance G1 Prix Marcel Boussac, it was Yeguada Centurion SL's homebred who held the bragging rights but there was something in the seasonal return of Ballydoyle's blueblood that suggested it would be a lot closer as they re-engage in the Pouliches. Overwhelming the subsequent 1000 Guineas third Matilda Picotte (Ire) (Sioux Nation) and G3 Cournelsourt S. scorer Zarinsk (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) in Leopardstown's G3 Ballylinch Stud 1000 Guineas Trial S., the descendant of Urban Sea (Miswaki) will be a different proposition for Christopher Head's stable luminary to handle this time.

Looking Out For Lindy

Surrendering her unbeaten record to Blue Rose Cen in the G3 Prix de la Grotte over this course and distance last month, Everest Racing, Ecurie Waldeck and Meridian International's Lindy (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) hails from a family of soft-ground lovers and trainer Christophe Ferland is keen to have another go at the favourite. “Since her debut, Lindy has done nothing but improve,” he said. “She had a good winter and her comeback effort in the Prix de la Grotte was very good. She is very easy to handle and I harbour no worries about her ability to act over course and distance. She is a daughter of Le Havre and so I don't feel that the ground will be a hindrance to her. Depending on how she fares on Sunday, I hope to run her in the Prix de Diane. I have even entered her in the Arc, because I think that in time and given greater maturity that longer trips will be within her compass.”

Can Kelina Rebound?

It seems a long time ago that the Wertheimers' TDN Rising Star Kelina (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was favourite for the Marcel Boussac and although she was last in that contest put up a fine comeback effort behind Quickstep (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the course-and-distance Prix du Louvre conditions race last month. From the family of Dansili's Group 1 winners With You (GB) and We Are (Ire) and Frankel's Call The Wind (GB), the Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained homebred will be staying on when some have cried enough.

Jannah Rose Poised For Saint-Alary Test

Frankel might already have had a big afternoon by the time the G1 St Mark's Basilica Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary comes around, where his unbeaten daughter Jannah Rose (Ire) will be a warm order to build on her quietly-dominant display in the nine-furlong G3 Prix Vanteaux here last month. Al Shira'aa Farms' €650,000 Goffs Orby sensation is developing a formidable reputation which will be put to the test here by some talented fillies including Ballydoyle's Boogie Woogie (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). A daughter of the Irish Oaks heroine Seventh Heaven (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), she came up against the stable's kingpin Savethelastdance (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) at Leopardstown two starts back when the pick of Ryan Moore which gives an indication as to the regard in which she is held. There will be some surprised people if Elusive Princess (Fr) (Martinborough {Jpn}) can't reverse the form of the G3 Prix Cleopatre with Crown Princesse (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), with LNJ Foxwoods purchasing a half-share in the former after her luckless run. Both have been supplemented, but both have to raise their game to reward that decision.

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Ready For Remarquee

   Newbury's ground for the G3 Fred Darling S. was worse than it is here, so Julian Richmond-Watson's Remarquee (GB) (Kingman {GB}) comes into play particularly as she is bred to stay at least this mile and probably further. From the family of the Oaks heroine Look Here (GB) (Hernando {Fr}) and the G1 Prix Royal Oak winner Scope (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), the homebred has enjoyed the injection of pace that Kingman provides and looks a deadly proposition here. “She didn't really get the run of the race and Rob [Hornby] dropped his stick with half a furlong to run, yet she still won with one ear pricked, having wandered around. She'll have learned a lot,” trainer Ralph Beckett said. “We've been here before, having won a few Fred Darlings, and it can be tough getting a filly back in time for the Guineas but all of the signs are good. She didn't have a hard race and I'm very happy with her.”

Loaded Amo

Amo Racing's season has started with a bang and their G3 Nell Gwyn S. winner Mammas Girl (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) was the main contributor as she dominated the G3 Nell Gwyn S. here last month. Richard Hannon has either been the name next to or been directly involved with the winner of this twice in the last 10 years and racing and operations manager Tom Pennington is hoping it can be three. “She goes there having won twice at the track and some experts have said she is not going to get the trip, but I disagree,” he said. “She's a relaxed and laid-back filly and I really don't see the mile being an issue.”

Second behind her in the Nell Gwyn was the solid Fairy Cross (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), but it has been clear for a while that Charlie Appleby's number one is Dream Of Love (Ire) (Shamardal).

Lively Longshots

Anybody who witnessed the G2 May Hill S. success of Polly Pott (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}) at Doncaster in September will remember how effective she is on rain-softened ground and it may be that her subsequent fourth to Commissioning (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in the G1 Fillies' Mile here was one run too many. Now with Ben Pauling, she rates as having a genuine squeak along with Jaber Abdullah's Listed Star S. winner Dance In The Grass (GB) (Cracksman {GB}) and Hunscote Stud's Listed Montrose Fillies' S. scorer Caernarfon (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) who will both relish the ground.

Mick Channon made an instant impact in his training career, but missed out on Guineas success a few times so it would be fitting if his son Jack could land one on his first attempt. “She is in great form and trained really well all winter and her work, touch wood, has been perfect,” he said of Caernarfon. “I think we've got her exactly where we want her and it will be down to simply whether she is good enough now. She had a decent amount of experience as a 2-year-old, she won over course and distance last time and she is not a filly who is too hard to get fit.”

Time For Adayar

Following the romp of Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) on Friday, Godolphin's other star Frankel Adayar (Ire) also comes to the Rowley Mile for the rescheduled G3 Gordon Richards S. lost from Sandown last week. The 2021 Derby and King George hero is up against Shadwell's G2 Prix Dollar winner Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) as he would have been last Friday, but also White Birch Farm's unbeaten and unexposed Francesco Clemente (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

Charlie Appleby also saddles two in the Listed Pretty Polly S., with William Buick on the impressive Southwell novice scorer Queen Of Fairies (GB) (Cracksman {GB}), and last year's winner of that Oaks trial With The Moonlight (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the G2 Dahlia S. Already successful in the G2 Cape Verdi and G2 Balanchine in 2023, she is back from an encounter with the high-class In Italian (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in Keeneland's GI Jenny Wiley S. and has it easier here despite carrying three pounds more than her rivals. She is joined by last year's G1 Falmouth S. heroine Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and fellow Godolphin representative and TDN Rising Star Life In Motion (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), another of Andre Fabre's keenly-aimed arrows at a race he has won twice since 2014 at the track he loves.

“With The Moonlight came back from Keeneland in great order and is a rock-solid filly,” Appleby said. “Nine furlongs is a perfect distance for her and she should be a big player, even with her penalty, providing the ground doesn't get too testing.”

London Calling

With Aidan O'Brien relying solely on Meditate (Ire) (No Nay Never) in the 1000 Guineas, Wayne Lordan stays at Leopardstown to take the mount on the stable's TDN Rising Star Tower Of London (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G3 Derby Trial S. The full-brother to Capri (Ire) did everything the wrong way round in the G2 Champions Juvenile S. when last seen here in September and looks a stronger candidate than the yard's G3 Prix Noailles fourth Londoner (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}). Both have a high bar to reach to get to the G1 Criterium International winner Proud And Regal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), while the G3 Ballysax S. runner-up Up And Under (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) adds further intrigue in another O'Brien-dominated Classic trial.

“We're not 100% sure what his trip is going to be, whether he will be a 10- or 12-furlong horse or maybe even he drops back to a mile, but it is great to get him started,” Donnacha said of Proud And Regal. “The hope is that he becomes a Derby horse, that's the dream, but I guess we will find out more on Sunday. If he goes and wins well, we will for sure have to have a look at Epsom, but if he didn't we may have to alter our plans.”

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What Next From Inspiral?

After Royal Ascot, most would have pointed to Cheveley Park Stud's G1 Coronation S. heroine Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) as the one to side with in a match with Coroebus who looked fortunate to have come away with the Tuesday feature. While the subsequent shock defeat of the John and Thady Gosden-trained homebred at the hands of Marc Chan and Andrew Rosen's Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in the G1 Falmouth S. at Newmarket July 8 has raised a question mark, the July Course is renowned for favouring front-runners when the ground is riding as fast as it was then and connections are convinced they have her in the right place for her own moment of truth. “I know she had little bit of a blip at Newmarket last time, but you have to excuse her after the long lay-off and sometimes horses can throw a bad one in,” Frankie Dettori said. “When I say bad, she was second, but she didn't run to her full potential.”

No Time To Rest

   Honours are even between the Classic generation and the older horses in the last 10 runnings, but few in the latter category could boast the type of record that State Of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) brings to the table. His quartet of top-level wins have all come over further, but the pace that he showed from the front when denying Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}) in the G1 Prince Of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot June 15 will take him a long way reverting to a mile. His toughness is also an essential  quality and will be a prerequisite as the 3-year-olds come at him late on here. Joseph O'Brien has been intent on trying him at a mile for some time and feels this is the ideal spot. “He's a horse that's always shown plenty of speed and it will be interesting to see how he can perform at a shorter distance,” he said. “Every day he goes to the track, he turns up and he has no problem leading, like he did last time. I think it's fairly obvious he'll be ridden in an uncomplicated way, whether he's getting a lead or not. It comes either way to him.”

A Nation's Pride With Erevann

With the first two Group 1 contests of the famed August meeting going the way of the British, the odds are cramped that this prestige event will also traverse La Manche as the home nation struggles to gain any respite from the onslaught. Last Tuesday's G1 Prix Rothschild saw Goldistyle (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) grab third, but Sunday's G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest was a stark reminder of where the balance of power rests in Europe with the eighth-placed Accakaba (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) faring best of the domestic runners. It is incredible to think that the whole of France's training ranks can muster just two representatives in one of their feature events on Sunday, with both hailing from the Jean-Claude Rouget stable. Nevertheless, one is The Aga Khan's unbeaten 'TDN Rising Star' Erevann (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), a son of Ervedya (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) who stated his case when taking Chantilly's G3 Prix Paul de Moussac June 19. He has to find improvement from that effort, but with his pedigree it is entirely possible.

A Continuing Romance?

Charlie Appleby will be hoping that he can pull off a notable double on Sunday, with Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) taking on the German runners in Hoppegarten's G1 Westminster 132nd Grosser Preis von Berlin. A typical Godolphin raider in this country, the June 25 Listed Fred Archer S. and July 29 G3 Glorious S. winner is unbeaten on turf and all-weather and his trainer said, “We felt this was a nice opportunity to test the waters at this level and we are confident that he won't disgrace himself.” Stall Nizza's May 29 G2 Grosser Preis der Badischen Wirtschaft winner Alter Adler (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) may offer the sternest threat among the older horses, while the pick of the 3-year-olds look to be Darius Racing's May 22 G2 Derby Italiano hero Ardakan (GB) (Reliable Man {GB}) and Anna Schleusner-Fruhriep's Nastaria (GB) (Outstrip {GB}), who is out just a week after her impressive success in Dresden's Listed Sommerpreis over 9 1/2 furlongs.

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How Far Can Harry Go?

If there is one with the capability of reaching these heights in one swoop it is Clive Cox Racing's Harry Three (GB) (Adaay {Ire}), who looked every bit in the mold of some of his trainer's better sprinters when taking the Listed Prix Kistena over six furlongs here July 10. That was a step up from his win in a competitive York handicap June 11 and there is no telling where his limit lies. “He's progressing quickly, but this is a huge step up,” Cox said. “He's full of confidence and he's shown solid form on the track. He's travelled and arrived early and the journey went well which I'm pleased about, given the complications that can arise with that at the moment. He's growing up all the time and becoming more experienced and I think he deserves this step up.” Last year's G2 Prix du Calvados winner Accakaba (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) is another intriguing prospect among the 3-year-olds, with her strong closing effort when fourth in this venue's seven-furlong G1 Prix Jean Prat marking her as a talented performer July 10.

Minzaal's Time?

   Shadwell's history with top sprinters is a rich one and the latest big gun among them could be the Owen Burrows-trained Minzaal (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), who has taken a while to deliver on the deep promise of his 2-year-old campaign but who seemed to come of age last time when beating Go Bears Go (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}) in the G3 Hackwood S. at Newbury July 16. “He's come out of Newbury great–there is another month until the Haydock Sprint Cup, so this fits in nicely,” his trainer said. “He was very strong at the end at Newbury, so I don't feel the extra half-furlong will hinder him at all. He's been Group 1-placed at two and Group 1-placed at three, so it would be lovely if he can get his head in front for one.”

Toy Takes Aim At Dusseldorf Classic

Narrowly denied in the Irish Oaks, Ballydoyle's Toy (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) takes to Dusseldorf to gain compensation in the G1 Henkel Preis der Diana and augment the remarkable record of top-level winners out of her dam You'resothrilling (Storm Cat). Heading the home defence is Stall Nizza's June 19 G2 Oaks d'Italia winner Nachtrose (Ire) (Australia {GB}), whose half-sister Nightflower (Ire) (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) was second in this in 2015, and Gestut Rottgen's July 3 G3 Mehl Mulhens-Trophy scorer Well Disposed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), a half-sister to the G1 Deutsches Derby hero Windstoss (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}).

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The Way Back

At ParisLongchamp, France's very own version of Torquator Tasso, Le Haras de la Gousserie and Guy Pariente's Sealiway (Fr) (Galiway {GB}), runs in the feature G1 Prix d'Ispahan which probably because of its proximity to Royal Ascot has failed to draw the strength in depth expected of a top-level contest staged here. First advertising his wares when a surprise fifth in the German raider's Arc, the chestnut embarked upon Ascot to top that effort by carrying off the centrepiece G1 QIPCO Champion S. but it is safe to say that things have not been straightforward since. Beaten in three subsequent efforts, he has ground to make up on the re-opposing Pretty Tiger (Ire) (Sea the Moon {Ger}), who had him a place behind when runner-up in the G1 Prix Ganay here at the start of the month.

All In Place

Ballylinch Stud have already had a big week thanks to Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}) and the Co. Kilkenny establishment could cap it with the Andre Fabre-trained Place du Carrousel (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in the G1 St Mark's Basilica Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary. Owned in equal partnership with Al Shaqab Racing, the impressive Apr. 22 G3 Prix Cleopatre winner faces unknown quantities in the May 4 Listed Cheshire Oaks runner-up Above the Curve (American Pharoah) and Ecurie Melanie's unbeaten Rouget project Sippinsoda (Fr) (War Front). She misses a date with Prosperous Voyage (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) after that 1000 Guineas runner-up was forced to turn back due to heavy delays at the English Port of Dover. In a fascinating G3 Prix du Palais-Royal, Jean-Claude Seroul's G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest hero Marianafoot (Fr) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) is tackled by Everest Racing, Barbara Keller and David Redvers's Malavath (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) who seeks to bury the memory of a deflating effort when down the field in the 1000 Guineas at the start of the month.

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From The Same Hymnsheet

If there is one sire that can take up the baton from Galileo it is his own son Frankel (GB), who has already crowbarred his way into his sire's realm with a stellar 2021 that serves as an early threat to his dominion. In the Juddmonte colossus's 'TDN Rising Star' Homeless Songs (Ire), he has a filly that seems to be on the verge of something special and she has all the right connections in her corner. While her dynamic display in the seven-furlong G3 Ballylinch Stud 1000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown Apr. 2 would have tempted most into a crack at the Newmarket Classic on ground that may have set back her progression, Moyglare and Dermot Weld's deep pool of combined wisdom opted to keep her powder dry for this test.

“Her mother didn't go on firm ground, so we didn't go to Newmarket and France wasn't the right race either,” Moyglare's bloodstock advisor Fiona Craig explained. “It'll be interesting. If you look at the pedigree, we're hoping the Frankel influence will get her home over the mile. We won't know if she gets the mile until we run over it. I'd have no question about a mile around a turn, it's just that Curragh is a long mile, but this is where we are and at least we've had a bit of rain. She doesn't need soft ground, she just doesn't want it like a road.”

Strength In Depth

This is an excellent renewal with potentially more clout than the 1000 Guineas, with Aidan O'Brien also saddling the far-from-forlorn hope Concert Hall (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}); the outrageously in-form William Haggas stable flying in Lael Stable's Purplepay (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}); the similarly buoyant Joseph O'Brien yard represented by Scott Heider's indefatigable Agartha (Ire) (Caravaggio); and Paul Smith's unknown quantity Hermana Estrella (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}). The latter, whose sole start came when the 50-1 winner of Naas's G3 Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies Sprint S. last May, brings a bizarre but compelling profile into this baptism of fire under Jamie Spencer, whose career truly took off with the Irish 1000 Guineas victory of Tarascon (Ire) (Tirol {Ire}) when he was a 17-year-old apprentice in 1998.

Now You See Him

Assuming its natural position as chief supporting act to the Guineas is the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, which features the perennial bloomer Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), prone to popping up now and again to do something notable before disappearing from view once more. Flowering in the desert for the last two renewals of the G1 Dubai Turf, the Gosdens' 6-year-old has a spartan but impressive race record and Thady Gosden is hoping he can extend it here.

“It was a great performance to run as well as he did in Dubai. He has taken that well and had a little bit of time off after the journey,” the junior partner of the new Clarehaven training arrangement said. “He's been training well at home, it's obviously a tough race with State of Rest coming off the back of winning the Ganay. He's race-fit, whereas we've had a little bit of a break but the track should suit him and so will the ground at the moment. He's still very much enjoying his training and his racing and behaving as he ever did.”

In No Mood To Rest

Lord North's biggest problem is the presence of State of Rest (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), the son of this week's headline-making broodmare Repose who is on a winning streak that has taken in the exotic and varying tests of the GI Saratoga Derby Invitational, G1 Cox Plate and G1 Prix Ganay. The fact that Joseph O'Brien's proverbial globetrotter never wins by far makes him hard to pin down for now and this will tell us more. “All being well, he seems to have come through France in good shape and we are looking forward to the weekend,” his trainer said. “I was lucky enough to win the Tattersalls Gold Cup as a jockey on So You Think and it would very satisfying if we could win it with State of Rest. Ideal conditions are probably good or better, there is a bit of rain forecast but hopefully the ground doesn't get too soft.”

Girls Galore

Fillies and mares dominate the rest of Sunday's pattern-race action, with The Curragh's card also boasting the G2 Lanwades Stud S. where Haras de Saint Pair's G1 Matron S. and G1 Prix de la Foret runner-up Pearls Galore (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) sets the standard threatened by the G3 Athasi S. winner Twilight Spinner (GB) (Twilight Son {GB}), another Scott Heider-Joseph O'Brien project. At Cologne, in the G2 Mehl-Mulhens-Rennen, or German 2000 Guineas, Markus Klug takes the unusual step of pitching Gestut Karlshof's unbeaten filly Mylady (Ger) (The Grey Gatsby {Ire}) against the colts but as she has already bettered them in Krefeld's 8 1/2-furlong G3 Dr Busch-Memorial Apr. 24, why not again? Her biggest issue is the arrival of a William Haggas runner, with Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's similarly-unbeaten Maljoom (Ire) (Caravaggio) boasting smart form having beaten the useful yardstick Saga (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) in a Kempton conditions event over this trip Apr. 18. Haggas won this in 2002 and 2004 and the insatiable form of the stable at present suggests he will be given due deference by the domestic contenders.

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